Jose Mourinho explains Henrikh Mkhitaryan confusion
Date published: Friday 28th October 2016 2:52
Jose Mourinho reveals Henrikh Mkhitaryan is still adapting to the English game and has backed him to become a top player for Manchester United in the future.
Reports over the last week had suggested that Mkhitaryan was ‘confused and unhappy’ over his role at United, while on Friday fresh reports indicated he was ‘determined’ to fight for his place at Old Trafford.
The conflicting reports go to show the confusion surrounding the Armenian’s introduction to the Premier League, having only started one game this season in the defeat to Manchester City.
The 27-year-old joined the Red Devils from Borussia Dortmund for a fee of £26.3million in the summer after scoring 23 goals and creating a further 20 for team-mates in the Bundesliga last season.
However, Mourinho clarified the situation on Friday by confirming that Mkhitaryan wasn’t suffering from injury and was available for selection.
“Not injury. Sometimes I confuse the meaning fit in the English language, sometimes fit means that you aren’t injured. Mkhitaryan is not injured, he is training with the team 100%,” Mourinho told a press conference on Friday.
“Some players have the profile of adapting easily but some other players need more time to feel the intensity. Some players need time to feel the competitiveness and the level of work without the ball. Mikhi needs time to become the top player we know he can be.
“Of course we believe in Mkhi and sooner or later there will be no problem.”
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