Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho expects Henrikh Mkhitaryan to make his return for the Christmas fixture schedule after the Armenian picked up an ankle injury during his side's 1-0 victory over Tottenham.

Mkhitaryan had turned in another man-of-the-match display during Sunday's home victory before a tackle from Danny Rose cut the player's game short. The 27-year-old was subsequently stretched off.

The Armenian marked his performance with the winning goal and although he will play no part in the away games at Crystal Palace on Wednesday and West Brom on Saturday, Mourinho believes the player will be back sooner rather than later.

"Hopefully he can play at Christmas," Mourinho told a press conference at Carrington. "We believe it's possible, so when I saw him on a stretcher I thought it was more difficult.

"When I watched the tackle on TV I was a bit scared. It's a pity because he's going to miss matches in his best period, but at least we don't lose the player for so long."

The United boss also paid tribute to Mkhitaryan's professionalism in the manner in which he has adapted to life at Old Trafford after a difficult opening four months.

“We bought him. He was not a player chosen by other people. We bought him because I asked the club to do it. I liked the player.

“It would have been more frustrating for me if everything went wrong. He needed a period of adaptation and in that period he showed great professionalism.

“Some would blame manager, make excuses, blame the pitch, blame the weather. He was quiet, closed him mouth and waited for opportunity.

“Hopefully he is only out for a few matches out and it won't stop his evolution.”