Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan get relationship back on track at Roma
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Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan look to have gotten their relationship back on track following a tough opening period at Manchester United.
The former Tottenham and United manager is notoriously difficult to please having ostracised the likes of Paul Pogba, Tanguy Ndombele, and Luke Shaw from the first team in recent seasons.
Mkhitaryan must have been fearful he would be next in line to suffer the same treatment after Mourinho was appointed AS Roma boss at the start of the new campaign.
The 32-year-old was not a favourite of 'The Special One' at Old Trafford with Mourinho flogging the Armenian to Arsenal in exchange for Alexis Sanchez.
Earlier this year, Mkhitaryan spoke out about his rocky relationship with Mourinho, before the pair were reunited in Serie A:
"Yes, I could say yes," said the winger, to Forza Roma, when asked if his former Man Utd manager was difficult to please.
“He’s a winner by nature. He wants you to win and you do what he asks you.
“It’s difficult for anyone. There have been differences and conflicts, but they have not had a strong impact on good work and the three trophies won.”
Was Henrik Mkhitaryan given a fair shot at Manchester United? Let us know in the comments section.
Following a £28m move from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, United fans had high hopes for the Premier League's first-ever Armenian footballer, but Mkhitaryan was never given sufficient opportunities or a significant run of games in the team.
A glorious scorpion-kick goal against Sunderland stands out as the obvious highlight, but his time in Manchester was tainted through constantly being singled out by Mourinho.
Mkhitaryan was often blamed by the 'Special One' for United's poor performances:
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“Once Mourinho saw me at breakfast and said to me: ‘Because of you, the press criticises me,'" said Mkhitaryan.
“I replied: ‘Really, mister? I’m not doing it on purpose’.
“Back in Manchester United, there were paparazzi three days a week. They filmed you as you got in the car, how you were dressed.
“Once you arrived at the sports centre they were already there. Every step was controlled.”
But after two goals and two assists already this season, it seems Mkhitaryan is flourishing under Mourinho at the second time of asking with their rocky relationship firmly back on track.
The 32-year-old has started every game for AS Roma in Serie A so far this season with I Giallorossi sitting fourth in the table.
- Jose Mourinho
- Manchester United FC
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