Mkhitaryan should have started sooner, says Redknapp

London - Former England midfielder Jamie Redknapp feels Manchester United would be in a better position in the Premier League standings if Henrikh Mkhitaryan had been utilised regularly.

Mkhitaryan failed to crack Jose Mourinho's starting XI after signing for the club in the off-season, with the Portuguese tactician claiming at the time that the Armenian needed more time to settle in the English Premier League.

However, the £26.3m attacking midfielder has burst onto the scene over the past month with a couple of man-of-the-match displays and the winning goal against Tottenham, in a 1-0 victory at Old Trafford on Sunday.

"I don't buy the argument that Henrikh Mkhitaryan needed time to adjust to the Premier League," Redknapp told the Daily Mail.

"If he had started sooner, I'm convinced Manchester United would have six or seven more points. 

"He is like Philippe Coutinho or Mesut Ozil in his ability to unlock the door and see passes that others don't. 

"He shone in the fast and furious pace of the Bundesliga so why wasn't he even on the bench for so long?"

United closed the gap to Spurs to just three points after their victory and Mourinho will be hoping that his side can extend their undefeated streak when they face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Wednesday.

Kick off is at 22:00.