The Armenian attacker cost Manchester United a reported £35m but has yet to start any of their opening games.
It’s still early into 2016/17, very early, but some fans have been wondering why Henrikh Mkhitaryan has yet to start for United. So far, the former Dortmund star has come off the bench late in the day.
Hate the way United feel obliged to play Rooney.. Mkhitaryan should be starting all day long 🙄
— BenCarpo16 (@BenCarpo) August 14, 2016
Surprised how the press don't quiz Mourinho on Mkhitaryan's absence from the starting XI.
— Hesham Bilal-Hafiz (@hesham786) August 18, 2016
Well, the quiz came at Jose Mourinho’s Thursday press briefing and his response was clear. “Options,” he replied.
Mourinho explained he started Jesse Lingard against Leicester, in the Community Shield, as he wanted his direct running and speed to cause problems. Lingard certainly did that and scored a fine goal after a slaloming run.
As for the opening day of the Premier League, Mourinho had a specific reason for selecting Juan Mata to start. “I thought Bournemouth wanted to press really high, and a player like Mata coming inside could reach some spaces behind the lines of pressure and it could be very useful for us,” he said.
The Portuguese is also eager to see if Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic can form a useful partnership so is giving them ample time to get used to each other. Mourinho continued:
“Some managers when they buy players, when it is their decision to buy players, the first thing they think is to protect themselves and to protect their choices. The players they buy have to play all the time. I am not like this. Before me comes the team, and what I think is the best for the team.
“In those two matches, Mata and Lingard were the best options for the team, adapted to the reality of the Premier League so I made that decision.”
Mourinho assured the press, and United fans, that Mkhitaryan is a super footballer who will get plenty of opportunities this season.
Team first. United could be alright yet.
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