Henrikh Mkhitaryan did not feature for Man United against Arsenal after Jose Mourinho told him the game was too pressurised.
The £26.5m summer signing has not been seen in the Premier League since September, when he was hauled off at half-time during Manchester United's derby defeat to Manchester City.
Mkhitaryan's sole appearance in a United shirt since then came as a substitute in this month's Europa League defeat at Fenerbahce, and he was again missing for the squad for Saturday's 1-1 draw with Arsenal.
"I told him Arsenal was not the game for you," said Mourinho, quoted in several of Tuesday's newspapers.
"I don't think he needs 10 or 20 minutes from the bench. He needs less pressure and better conditions for him to express his qualities.
"I think he needs a good game and he needs to either start or, if not, to come on for the second half."
Mkhitaryan's opportunity could come in the Europa League on Thursday, when United host Feyenoord.
"I told him that he is going to be involved in the game," Mourinho said.
"He is trying. He is not happy but he is transforming his frustration in a good way, which is to close the mouth and work hard and try to adapt."
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