Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Henrikh Mkhitaryan Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Friday criticised Henrikh Mkhitaryan's displays in recent matches amid speculation the attacking midfielder may be set to return to Borussia Dortmund.

The Armenian has struggled for form since September, and Mourinho was asked about the player's slump ahead of Saturday's meeting with Brighton & Hove Albion. In typically forthright style, the United boss did not mince his words in assessment of the player.

"I was not happy with his last performances," said Mourinho, per Simon Stone of BBC Sport. "It's not one or two, I am talking about three, four or five. He started well this season but his performance levels, goalscoring, assists, high pressing, bringing the team with him as number 10, were decreasing step by step."

JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/Getty Images

According to Stone, Dortmund have made it known they would be willing to bring the 28-year-old back to the club if there were an opportunity. United signed Mkhitaryan from BVB in the summer of 2016.

The playmaker was absent for the two United matches before Saturday's meeting with Brighton, for which he was on the bench.

Mkhitaryan's first season at United was mixed, with a slow start giving way to some signs of promise late in the campaign. And in the early weeks of 2017-18, he appeared to have hit top gear.

The 28-year-old was sensational playing off behind the frontman, providing a dynamic and creative edge in support of Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba. But those lofty standards have not been met for a while, prompting Mourinho to look at other options.

Writer Liam Canning was glad to see Mourinho address the issue of the Armenian's stuttering form:

The manager will hope his words can prompt a reaction from someone who has so much to offer when he's at his best.

There aren't many players capable of blending speed, technical quality and excellent decision-making as well as Mkhitaryan. When he's in form, he leads counter attacks, slaloms past challenges and makes tangible contributions in terms of goals and assists.

TF-Images/Getty Images

Mourinho does have other options in the form of Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata, although neither has as much to offer as an on-it Mkhitaryan.

Still, football writer Tom McDermott doesn't see a path back into Mourinho's plans for the player after the manager's latest comments:

As Stone noted, Dortmund have brought back key players in recent years following high-profile departures. Mario Gotze rejoined the club having struggled at Bayern Munich, and Shinji Kagawa went back having failed to adapt to English football during his stint at United.

There are a lot of matches for United to negotiate before the end of the year, with the team seeking to make progress in the Premier League, UEFA Champions League and the Carabao Cup. Mkhitaryan will surely get chances, and after this stinging criticism from his manager, it feels imperative he seizes them.