MANCHESTER UNITED ATTACKER Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists he is happy with any role given to him by Jose Mourinho after making his debut at Wigan Athletic.
Mkhitaryan lined up in the number 10 role behind James Wilson during the first half at the DW Stadium, before being replaced at the interval with the game scoreless.
The former Borussia Dortmund man set up a golden chance which was wasted by Memphis Depay, before missing a presentable opportunity of his own.
United went on to win 2-0 in Mourinho’s first game in charge thanks to second-half goals from Will Keane and Andreas Pereira, and Mkhitaryan was encouraged by the start made by both himself and the team.
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“It was a good game, the first half was difficult because we couldn’t score but we made a good game and thank you to my team-mates for today,” he told MUTV.
“I was trying to be comfortable, so I think day by day it will be better.
“It doesn’t matter where [I play], the most important thing is to play and help the team win the games and that is the main thing for me.”
PA Wire / Press Association Images
PA Wire / Press Association Images / Press Association Images
Mourinho was impressed with Mkhitaryan’s first game for the club, insisting his performance this afternoon was “very positive”.
“[Henrikh] Mkhitaryan is a top-class player and currently at the best stage for a footballer – 27/28 years old. He is magnificent the way he thinks about football, he thinks very quickly and it’s so sweet how he touches the ball.
“He can play in different positions behind the striker. He doesn’t have the sharpness yet but his performance was very positive.
“With Eric [Bailly] the way the fans showed how much they liked his performance when I changed him is enough. Of course he is a very young boy coming from a very different environment, but you could see what he is at this moment.
“I will give him everything to try to make him better and better like I did with other central defenders I’ve had in my hands. He has showed the potential we saw when we decided to buy him.”
United depart for their pre-season tour of China next week.
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'I'll play anywhere for Man United!' - Big-money signing Mkhitaryan impresses on debut
MANCHESTER UNITED ATTACKER Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists he is happy with any role given to him by Jose Mourinho after making his debut at Wigan Athletic.
Mkhitaryan lined up in the number 10 role behind James Wilson during the first half at the DW Stadium, before being replaced at the interval with the game scoreless.
The former Borussia Dortmund man set up a golden chance which was wasted by Memphis Depay, before missing a presentable opportunity of his own.
United went on to win 2-0 in Mourinho’s first game in charge thanks to second-half goals from Will Keane and Andreas Pereira, and Mkhitaryan was encouraged by the start made by both himself and the team.
“It was a good game, the first half was difficult because we couldn’t score but we made a good game and thank you to my team-mates for today,” he told MUTV.
“I was trying to be comfortable, so I think day by day it will be better.
“It doesn’t matter where [I play], the most important thing is to play and help the team win the games and that is the main thing for me.”
Mourinho was impressed with Mkhitaryan’s first game for the club, insisting his performance this afternoon was “very positive”.
“[Henrikh] Mkhitaryan is a top-class player and currently at the best stage for a footballer – 27/28 years old. He is magnificent the way he thinks about football, he thinks very quickly and it’s so sweet how he touches the ball.
“He can play in different positions behind the striker. He doesn’t have the sharpness yet but his performance was very positive.
“I will give him everything to try to make him better and better like I did with other central defenders I’ve had in my hands. He has showed the potential we saw when we decided to buy him.”
United depart for their pre-season tour of China next week.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
Newcastle and Leeds enjoyed comfortable pre-season wins in Dublin this afternoon
5 years ago, a team with World Cup winners and Euros champions came to Belfield and lost
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Club Friendlies Football Friendlies Henrikh Mkhitaryan Manchester United Premier League team player Wigan Athletic