Mourinho: Mkhitaryan omission is protection from transfer rumours

Henrikh Mkhitaryan was left out of the Manchester United squad for Monday's meeting with Stoke City, and Jose Mourinho indicated it's due to the Armenian's recent links to Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan's name has been included in reports regarding the protracted Alexis Sanchez transfer saga, with the Gunners apparently interested in receiving the former Borussia Dortmund standout as part of the deal.

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"I would lie if I said it was a pure tactical decision. It was just a choice of the players that we know, in this moment, they have 100 percent their heads in Manchester United," Mourinho told Sky Sports before the match.

"No doubts about the future. I don't think it's easy for a player to play when there are doubts about his future. It's added pressure that a player doesn't need, so I think it's the best for him and for us, while the doubt is in the air, to protect him."

(Courtesy: @ManUtd)

Sanchez was of long-term interest to Manchester City, but Pep Guardiola's side is understood to have stepped away from negotiations due to United's willingness to offer a bigger financial package. The forward didn't travel with Arsenal for Sunday's 2-1 defeat in Bournemouth.

Stoke arrives at Old Trafford under the temporary stewardship of Eddie Niedzwiecki. Paul Lambert officially assumes the Potters' post Tuesday after being confirmed as the club's new manager on Monday.