Manchester United forward Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been tipped to return to his optimum level by Jose Mourinho, The Manchester Evening News reports.

Mkhitaryan has not played since injuring his thigh in the derby defeat to City on September 10 but returned to training at Carrington three weeks ago.

The 27-year-old did not travel for Armenia's two World Cup qualifiers during the international break and instead remained in Manchester to have his injury assessed by United's medical team.

Mkhitaryan arrived at United amid much fanfare in the summer from Borussia Dortmund and, despite a slow start, has his manager's confidence.

"Mkhitaryan was injured, he is not injured any more and is training without any limitations," Mourinho said at his pre-match press conference.

"I cannot confirm if he will play tomorrow but he is fit and it is time for him to go back to the levels we know he can achieve."