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Mike Egerton
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Pogba and Ibrahimovic return for Man United's EFL quarter-final with Bristol City

But there’s no place for Henrikh Mkhitaryan in Mourinho’s starting XI.

PAUL POGBA AND Zlatan Ibrahimovic returned to the Manchester United XI at Bristol City tonight, but Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s wait for a return continues after he was only named on the bench for Wednesday’s EFL Cup tie.

The Armenian has fallen out of favour at Old Trafford in recent weeks, making just one appearance — a 19-minute cameo against Brighton and Hove Albion — since 5 November.

Mkhitaryan reportedly clashed with Jose Mourinho during a video analysis session at training, prompting speculation about a potential move to Inter.

Mourinho confirmed on Tuesday that Mkhitaryan was at least in contention for a start, but he has opted to go with other options from the start, leaving the attacking midfielder to contend with a place on the bench.

There is no such disappointment for Pogba and Ibrahimovic, however.

The France international starts in midfield for the first time since facing Basel in the Champions League on 5 December after serving a three-match ban in the Premier League. And Ibrahimovic makes his first start of the season, having recovered from the knee injury which prematurely his 2016-17 campaign.

Manchester United: Romero; Darmian, Lindelof, Rojo, Blind, Shaw; McTominay, Pogba; Rashford, Martial; Ibrahimovic.

The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):

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