Juan Mata tells Jose Mourinho he can play with Henrikh Mkhitaryan

PanARMENIAN.Net - Juan Mata has insisted he and Henrikh Mkhitaryan can play in the same Manchester United side, The Mirror reports.

The Spaniard had started the season excellently but lost his place to summer signing Mkhitaryan earlier this month.

An ankle injury sustained in the win over Tottenham forced Mkhitaryan out of the midweek trip to Palace as Mata returned, helping United to a 2-1 win.

As yet, Mourinho has only started the pair in the Europa League success over Zorya but Mata hopes they will get more opportunities together.

"We are different players and we can play together. We understand each other well on the pitch because we play the same type of football," he told IBTimes.

"The manager has the decision. He decides what is best for each match.

"But I think we are different players and I am happy for his recent performance because he is a great guy and deserves it."

Mata was widely expected to leave United in the summer after Mourinho's arrival but has turned things around under his former Chelsea boss.