Jose Mourinho has openly criticized midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan for his recent dip in form for the Red Devils.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has openly hit out at midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan ahead of his side’s Premier League clash against newly-promoted Brighton and Hove Albion later today. The Armenian joined the Red Devils in 2016 for a reported fee of £26.3 million and has been left out of the United squad for the games against Newcastle United and FC Basel after falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford.
MOURINHO IS UNHAPPY WITH MKHITARYAN’S PERFORMANCES
Life hasn’t always been enjoyable for Mkhitaryan at Manchester United and the former Borussia Dortmund man enjoyed a three month spell without a single start for the club after he was substituted at half time in the defeat against rivals Manchester City last September. However, he turned things around in the second half of the season and also scored in United’s Europa League final win over Ajax in May, quickly establishing himself as an integral part of Mourinho’s side.
Mkhitaryan started the season on a high having started 10 of the 11 league games for United but he was last seen in the Red Devils’ 1-0 loss against Chelsea away from home, a game in which he was taken off right after the hour mark. “I was not happy with his last performances,” said Mourinho, “It’s not one or two, I am talking about three, four or five.”
The 28-year-old has managed just 2 goals in 16 games this season and Mourinho was not shy to point out the stark contrast in his recent performances. “He started well this season but his performance levels, goalscoring, assists, high pressing, bringing the team with him as number 10, were decreasing step by step,” added Mourinho. “That was enough [to be dropped] because the others worked to have a chance. Everybody works to have a chance. It’s as simple as that.”
DORTMUND COULD PROVIDE MKHITARYAN AN ESCAPE ROUTE
Even though Mkhitaryan is expected to be named in the matchday squad for the game against Brighton, multiple sources in England have reported that United would not mind selling the Armenian with interest from former club Borussia Dortmund knocking on their doors. The midfielder made over 140 appearances for the Bundesliga giants scoring 41 goals since joining them from Shakhtar Donetsk in 2013.
Jose Mourinho has criticised Henrikh Mkhitaryan's recent form – as Dortmund indicate they would be interested in re-signing him. (Source: BBC) pic.twitter.com/jydIl8RLkc
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) November 25, 2017
Peter Bosz’s men are undergoing a dismal run of form at the moment and could turn to their former talisman in a bid to overturn their fortunes this season. Mkhitaryan could follow the footsteps of Shinji Kagawa and sign for his former club in January after a disappointing spell with United.
AUTHOR’S TAKE
Borussia Dortmund have a history of re-signing their best players having already bought back the likes of Kagawa, Mario Gotze and Nuri Sahin and they could do well by adding a player of Mkhitaryan’s ability to their ranks.
The post Jose Mourinho Slams Manchester United star amidst interest from European giants appeared first on The12thMan.
