Manchester United's Jose Mourinho has explained his reasons for leaving Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of Thursday night's win over Fenerbahce.

Ahead of the Europa League clash, Mourinho indicated that the Armenian attacking midfielder was fully fit, but then failed to include him in his match day squad.

Mourinho admits he had nowhere to fit the summer signing in his line-up while suggesting that the 27-year-old still has some work to do before he can be called upon after recovering from a thigh problem.

"The situation is that we played with (Jesse) Lingard, with (Juan) Mata and (Anthony) Martial," Mourinho told reporters.

"I am not an Einstein, I don't know a tactical system to play with four wingers at the same time. He has to work more to get the intensity and the real fitness to play at the high level.

"To have him here tonight on the bench and to give him 15 to 20 minutes, like I did with Memphis (Depay), I thought it would be better for him to work the way he did yesterday and much harder, obviously.

"I thought it would be much better for him to work today, like he did in the specific session, than to wait for his chance. But he is ready. He is ready very soon."