Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a difficult start to life at Old Trafford.
Signed from Borussia Dortmund last summer, the Armenian forward was expected to light-up the Manchester United team after a brilliant season in Germany.
However, Mkhitaryan picked-up a knock on international duty back in September, was substituted at half-time against Manchester City and wasn’t seen again for well over a month.
Reports emerged that Mourinho wasn’t happy with the player, and had cast doubts over his suitability for the physical demands of the game in England.
However, something changed just as it looked like the talented player wouldn’t be long for Old Trafford.
Mkhitaryan returned to the first-team, started scoring goals and looked like he would become a key player for United.
The 27-year-old scored a wonderful solo goal against Zorya in the Europa League, and the only goal of the game against Spurs a few days later, smashing an unstoppable shot past Hugo Lloris.
Mkhitaryan then picked-up an ankle injury from a tackle from Danny Rose, but should be back for United’s game against Sunderland at home on December 26.
Fans of the club will be hoping it doesn’t take long for him to find his form again.
According to The Times, the reason why Mkhitaryan found himself back in Mourinho’s plans in recent weeks was down to a weight-training programme approved by the United manager.
The forward is said to have put on 8lb (3.6kg), which is more than half-a-stone, since the summer, and proved himself to Mourinho, who had reservations about Mkhitaryan’s ability to thrive in the physical environment of the Premier League.
Mkhitaryan had only started one game before December, the 1-2 loss to City, but started three this month before his injury and has clearly earned the trust of his manager after working hard behind the scenes.
