Fans in Armenia worship the footsteps of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Such is the magnitude they adore their most famous footballer. The-27 year-old has risen to become one of the top players in European football following spells at Shakhtar Donetsk and Borussia Dortmund. At the moment, it is not going to plan as he has been frozen out at Manchester United by manager, Jose Mourinho. It is yet unclear why that has been the case, as he has been declared fit in training and has fully recovered from his injury woes.
For a player who was responsible for 49 goals for Borussia Dortmund, he must be wondering what it will take for him not to be regarded as a flop. According to close sources at Old Trafford, Mkhi is the model gentleman. Well mannered, gentle, and a man who only thinks about the round leather game, it is surprising that he isn’t even making the bench on match day. A very bad game in the Manchester Derby in September is believed to be the genesis of his problems. He was hauled off at halftime in that 2-1 loss to bitter rivals as he struggled with the pace and intensity evident in the game.
Prior to that game, however, it was not expected Mkhi would play. He had been feared injured during the international weekend playing for Armenia, and it seemed he was rushed back to action too soon. The writings had been on the wall before that game, as he had been placed on the bench in the games against Leicester, Bournemouth, Hull City before starting that ill-fated derby.
The obvious reason why he isn’t playing may be down to two options. One, he hasn’t settled into the English way of life or secondly, he doesn’t fit into the manager’s philosophy. But, why buy a player you know can’t play the style you want, or offer what you require in your players?
From a player being compared to the likes of Mesut Ozil and Cesc Fabregas to playing second fiddle to the likes of Jesse Lingard and Anthony Martial, it has been a wretched start to life in Manchester. He could take a cue from other players who have played their way into Mourinho’s thoughts before. Anytime he is given a chance, he must grab it with both hands. The case of Willian comes to mind.
The power to succeed or fail rests in the mindset of the mind. Time is running out to convince his manager.
