Jose Mourinho is confident of having Henrikh Mkhitaryan available for Manchester United’s visit to rivals Liverpool on Monday, October 17, The Telegraph said.

The Armenia captain has endured an injury plagued start to his Old Trafford career and has been sidelined for the past month after suffering a thigh injury to his left leg in the 2-1 derby defeat to Manchester City.

United had written to the Armenian FA to formally ask that Mkhitaryan be excused from international duty in order to continue his rehabilitation in Manchester, a request that was granted.

Mkhitaryan was substituted at half-time of the City game after a torrid first start for United and was publicly criticised by Mourinho after the match.

But the United manager expects Mkhitaryan to be an important player this term and is relieved he is on the comeback trail ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.

After Monday’s game at Anfield, United host Fenerbahce in the Europa League three days later before Mourinho returns to old club Chelsea at the weekend for the first time since being sacked as manager at Stamford Bridge last year. The following week United play City at Old Trafford in the fourth round of the EFL Cup.