Manchester Evening News, UK

Jan 12 2018

 

 

 

 

By Anthony Jepson

 

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been linked with a Manchester United exit and the head of the Football Federation of his home country, Armenia, believes he is too good to languish on the bench.

 

Mkhitaryan has endured a troubled season, with United manager Mourinho dropping him from the squad for lengthy spells.

 

The Old Trafford manager is believed to be willing to sanction a sale and the forward – who he bought from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 – has been mooted as a possible makeweight in a move for Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez.

 

Armenian football boss Ruben Hayrapetyan says he has had phone conversations with his country's national hero.

 

“I talked to Henrikh on the phone, but I don’t want to make any comments," he told Public Radio of Armenia.

 

"The coach-player relations can often worsen or improve. There is no need in intervening with their working process.

 

“Should he fail to regain his place at Manchester United, he can play in any other world-class club. He will never remain on the bench, because he is a professional and diligent player and will always have a place in the main squad."

 

Mourinho apologised to Mkhitaryan for taking him off after just 45 minutes of United's FA Cup clash with Derby last week as he made a tactical change.

 

“[It was] unfair [to take Mkhitaryan off] and I told him that at half-time," he said.

 

“I didn’t like what I did. He didn’t deserve it, he was playing well, he wasn’t playing bad.

 

“Mkhi was the one that I sacrificed but it’s something that I don’t normally do but I did at half-time and apologised to him in front of other people because he didn’t deserve it.”

 

Mourinho has previously questioned Mkhitaryan's contribution and talk of a return to Dortmund has been suggested as a possible solution.

 

However, his wages at United would be a hurdle for most clubs interested in taking him and a move in the summer is seen as more likely.