Manchester United Transfer News: Henrikh Mkhitaryan January Exit Rumours Emerge

Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan could reportedly be sold in January after making just one start for the Red Devils since his big-money summer move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund. 

According to Rob Maul in the Sun, the Armenia international has failed to impress United manager Jose Mourinho, and the Portuguese boss is already preparing to cut his losses on the 27-year-old.

However, per the Manchester Evening News' Samuel Luckhurst, he is set to be included in the United squad to face Manchester City in the EFL Cup on Wednesday:

Mkhitaryan picked up a thigh injury while on international duty last month but has not been given a chance in the United side since returning to fitness.

His last outing for the Red Devils was in his only start for the club so far—September's derby clash with Manchester City at Old Trafford.

He was fielded on the right flank for the clash with City but was substituted at half-time after a substandard 45 minutes.

The fact that he has not been seen since then is surprising, though, as none of Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata or Anthony Martial have been able to make the right-flank position their own, per Luckhurst:

United have had a number of experiences in recent seasons of marquee signings failing to adapt effectively to English football—for example, Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao.

But Mkhitaryan surely deserves more of a chance to prove himself in the Premier League than he has been given so far at Old Trafford.

His transfer fee was fully warranted after an impressive 2015-16 season in the Bundesliga, per Squawka:

And he offers the type of creativity that United have often been lacking in their recent run of poor form.

United's Old Trafford clash with City on Wednesday could be the perfect opportunity for Mkhitaryan to show what he is capable of and start to finally establish himself in Mourinho's plans.

If he has indeed already been marked for the exit door, though, he may well not feature again for the rest of the year.