Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Red Devils Rumours

Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is reportedly ready to stay and fight for his place at the club despite his recent marginalisation.

According to Ed Aarons and Fabrizio Romano of the Guardian, although the Armenia international was left out of the Red Devils’ matchday squad on Wednesday for the EFL Cup clash with Manchester City, he still sees his immediate future at Old Trafford.

“It is understood that the 27-year-old was surprised not to be involved having taken a full part in training in the buildup to the match but will not seek a move away from United in January,” the story stated. Rob Maul of the Sun reported on Wednesday that a midseason move was on the cards for the player.

Matthew Ashton - AMA/Getty Images

Since his summer switch from Borussia Dortmund, Mkhitaryan has played a meagre 105 minutes of Premier League football. It’s a surprise to plenty given how well he performed in the Bundesliga last term; here’s a reminder of just how good he was:

United boss Jose Mourinho has hinted that Mkhitaryan isn’t at the level needed to make an impact in the Premier League quite yet. The Portuguese said he “has to work more to get the intensity and fitness to play at a high level,” per Aarons and Romano.

Although injury issues have disrupted the former Dortmund man’s start to life at his new club, recent absences have raised eyebrows. Football writer Liam Canning thinks he’s worth using:

When Mkhitaryan moved to Dortmund in 2013, it took him a long time to settle at his new side, having to adapt to a different culture both on and off the field. The Bundesliga only witnessed the best of the Armenian last term, and you sense United supporters will have to be patient when it comes to the creator.

Mourinho’s caution will frustrate some, but he’s an experienced operator in the Premier League. Given the change of setting and the frequent injury niggles, perhaps he’s taking no risks whatsoever when it comes to the midfielder’s integration into English football.

Roma Linked to Memphis Depay

Pete Norton/Getty Images

According to Corriere dello Sport (h/t Tom Coast of Sport Witness), AS Roma want to sign Memphis Depay on loan from United in January with a view to a permanent deal.

It’s suggested in the report that the Giallorossi want to add the Dutch winger to their squad and are willing to include a substantial option to buy the 22-year-old come the end of the season. It’s also stated that Memphis could deputise for Mohamed Salah early next year, when the Egyptian takes part in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Memphis has struggled to adapt to life at United since his move from PSV Eindhoven in the summer of 2015, playing just 12 minutes in three Premier League appearances this season, according to WhoScored.com. The Netherlands star arrived with a reputation for goalscoring, set-piece prowess and blisteringly quick feet. However, the youngster has rarely shown these assets on a consistent basis.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Mourinho has given the winger some chances to shine this season in cameo roles from the bench, but even in this limited capacity, Memphis has looked as though he’s living on borrowed time, per writer Daniel Harris:

There’s still a long way to go in the winger’s career, and evidently, he has the natural talent needed to flourish at the highest level. However, to rediscover the consistency he possessed at PSV, Memphis needs game time; with Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Mkhitaryan all battling for spots on the flanks, that’s unlikely to come at United.

Roma are an illustrious outfit that look ready to rival Juventus in the race for the title in Serie A this season. If Memphis were promised regular football at the Stadio Olimpico, a loan switch may be the perfect trigger for his stalling career.