POSER OVER MKHITARYAN’S FUTURE

Midfielder fighting to save his career as United face Basel test

their 4-1 win over Newcastle on Saturday, through different training drills.

Among the players present were Ibrahimovic and Pogba, both of whom made their comebacks from injury at the weekend.

Pogba does not yet share Ibrahimovic’s cult status, but his display on his comeback from injury showed his importance to Manchester United is second to none.

Having toiled in Pogba’s absence, recently taking four points from a possible 12 in the Premier League, United rediscovered their swagger against Newcastle United on Saturday when the Frenchman made his return.

With a goal and an assist in a 4-1 comeback win, Pogba was the man of the match and his overall display helped United find a level they have struggled to reach during his two-month absence.

“He affects our football,” summarised United manager Jose Mourinho. “We all know, myself and the fellow players, that certain players influence the levels of the team. With him we have much more creation.”

The rest of the United squad looked in good spirits as they prepare for their European showdown, which takes place at St Jakob-Park.

But Mkhitaryan appeared to not get the memo, with the out-offavour midfielder all alone on the training bench at the club's Aon Training Complex.

Phil Jones, Michael Carrick and Eric Bailly were United’s only absentees as they trained at Carrington.

The 25-year-old Jones remains absent after aggravating a thigh problem while on international duty with England, while Bailly is still missing with what Mourinho has only described as an ‘injury’.

Their absences mean the manager is still without his firstchoice central-defensive pairing, with Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof expected to continue to deputise.