Mkhitaryan has scored 13 goals in 63 appearances since moving to England from the Bundesliga but has only started two of United’s last 16 games.
Following the 3-0 win over Stoke on Monday night, Mourinho accepted he could leave this month.
He said: “I didn’t select him today because I wanted players fully focused and I understand that with so much talk and speculation it is not easy for Mkhitaryan to play… so I prefer to protect him and the situation.
“If he stays here he is a very good player that this season started very, very well and come a little bit down but last season did he amazing things for us, helped us to win the Europa League, being one of the most important players.”
Mkhitaryan has scored 13 goals in 63 appearances since moving to England from the Bundesliga but has only started two of United’s last 16 games.
Following the 3-0 win over Stoke on Monday night, Mourinho accepted he could leave this month.
He said: “I didn’t select him today because I wanted players fully focused and I understand that with so much talk and speculation it is not easy for Mkhitaryan to play… so I prefer to protect him and the situation.
“If he stays here he is a very good player that this season started very, very well and come a little bit down but last season did he amazing things for us, helped us to win the Europa League, being one of the most important players.
Source: ESPN