Jose Mourinho makes U-turn on ex-Man Utd flop who made life "difficult"

Following Jose Mourinho 's appointment as AS Roma boss, it appeared as though Henrikh Mkhitaryan's time at the club could be coming to an end due to the pair's difficult relationship during their time at Manchester United.

Mkhitaryan's contract is due to expire next month but, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, he is set to extend his stay for a further two years.

It is claimed that Mourinho wants Mkhitaryan to stay 'despite their problems' at United and Roma are said to be 'confident' that the player will sign.

Reflecting on his time working under Mourinho at Old Trafford back in March, Mkhitaryan told Forza Roma : "Yes, I could say yes [that Mourinho is 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."

He also added: "Once Mourinho saw me at breakfast and said to me: 'Because of you, the press criticises me. 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."

Mkhitaryan eventually left United after just two seasons, joining Arsenal as part of a swap deal which saw Alexis Sanchez go the other way.

"I knew that Wenger and Arsenal were interested in me at the time of the conflicts with Mourinho," Mkhitaryan said.

"Wenger wanted me with the Gunners. Going to them was fulfilling the dream I had as a child.

"Many French players had worn that shirt in the past: Henry, Pires, Bergkamp, Petit, Vieira.

"I was very passionate. Then, with the arrival of the United Arab Emirates, they started having economic problems and started investing in young people.

"Moving to Wenger’s Arsenal was a dream, a fairytale."

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