Jose Mourinho Involved In Training Ground Bust-Up With Manchester United Player

The relationship between Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been a huge topic of debate in recent weeks.

Despite a lively start to the season, the Armenian can't even get a place in the first team squad at present. In fact, the 28-year-old has been left out of Mourinho's squad for seven of the last eight games, a decision that has brought plenty of questions.

Ibrahimovic Mkhitaryan

Mkhitaryan last featured under Mourinho as a substitute in the club's 1-0 win over Brighton last month, as the United manager opts for different members of the squad, but what is the real reason behind his absence?

It was believed that his lack of form maybe a factor behind Mourinho's decision to leave the Armenian out of match day squads, but a report from ESPN may just explain why Mkhitaryan isn't getting any playing time.

It has emerged that Mourinho and Mkhitaryan had a row during a video analysis session at the club's Carrington training ground last month.

ESPN claim that Mkhitaryan is now 'battling to save his Manchester United career' as a result of the row.

They go onto state that Mourinho singled out the Armenian midfielder for his defensive work rate and a mistake made by the player.

This training ground bust-up rumours come just days after Mourinho criticised Mkhitaryan for his lack of form. In a recent interview via Manchester United's official website, the manager has spoken about Mkhitaryan's absense:

"I can only have six [outfield] players on the bench and I try to have some balance on the bench - I had two defenders and [Daley] Blind who can play in different areas. I had Ashley Young to cover me all of the wing and the wing-back position.

"I had [Ander] Herrera as a midfield player, Zlatan [Ibrahimovic] as a striker and Marcus [Rashford] as a second striker and winger. I played [Anthony] Martial, [Juan] Mata and [Jesse] Lingard in the team. To have Micki means that I don't have one of them and, in this moment, I believe the other ones they deserve [the chance to play]"

Thoughts on Mourinho and Mkhitaryan's relationship?

Let us know in the comments.

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Manchester United

Jack Kenmare

Jack Kenmare is a writer at SPORTbible. He's interviewed some of the biggest names in sport, including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Pele, Carles Puyol and Tim Henman. He dabbles in all things sport but football is his biggest passion. He was once hit in the head by a wayward strike from Nicky Butt and lived to tell the tale.

@jackkenmare_