There is an argument that Jose Mourinho needed to play Henrikh Mkhitaryan sooner but maybe this was how the Armenian needed to be managed.
Being kept waiting is perfect for some players as it means they work harder to prove their point.
When they do get into the side, all that work counts.
I don't understand why it has taken so long for Mkhitaryan to get going — he was named players' player of the season after making 15 assists in the Bundesliga for Dortmund last season — but now it looks like he is really in the mood.