Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been confirmed as Jose Mourinho’s third signing following the recent signings of Eric Baily and Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United from Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal with the option of a one-year extension embedded in his contract with the Red Devils.
The deal taking the 27-year-old to Old Trafford cost Manchester United a fee of £26.3m which is a reasonable transfer outlay for a player of Mkhitaryan’s calibre.
The Armenian international either scored or assisted 49 goals in 52 games for Dortmund in all competitions last season. Exclusively in the Bundesliga, he scored 11 goals and laid on 15 assists for his teammates, a combined tally 26 contributions which earned him the Players’ Player of the Season award.
Judging by his great stats, the Armenian international who illuminated the Bundesliga last season with his sublime creativity coupled with his eye for goal looks all set to challenge the likes of Mesut Ozil and Riyad Mahrez for the title of the Premier League’s assist king.
Reaction to the Transfer
Manchester United fans greeted Mkhitaryan’s arrival at Old Trafford with a lot of positivity as they’re keen on seeing what their new signing has to offer regarding goals and assists.
There’s no doubt about the fact that United’s 2016/17 League campaign would be result oriented as they can’t afford to face further humiliation on the League table, so their new signings have to live up to the billing rather than them just relishing the prospect of featuring for United on a consistent basis.
United fans are now more expectant than ever due to the unfortunate turn of events which made them miss out on the Champions League spot last season, so on that note, Jose Mourinho will be keen on doing a spectacular job in season at Old Trafford.
Where Will Mkhitaryan Fit In
Mkhitaryan naturally plays as an attacking midfielder as he’s able to utilise his creativity through the middle as well as move into channels which can lead to a potential goal scoring opportunities.
He’s also a force to be reckoned with on the flanks as he possesses immense technical abilities and is also an excellent crosser of the ball.
Mourinho is expected to make use of a 4-2-3-1 system. With Mkhitaryan in the side, United fans can expect some more fluidity from the Red Devils regarding their build-up play. United played a lot of boring football with LVG at the helm of things seem set to change for the better with the special one being the man in the dugout ahead of the new season.
Going into a United side who already boast of the trickery and creativity of Juan Mata in the number 10 role, Mkhitaryan might not have it easy in terms of being a first team regular, but judging by Mourinho’s relationship with Mata, Henrikh will probably be his first choice attacking midfielder.
Mkhitaryan playing in the side is sure to have a corresponding effect on Ibrahimovic’s goal tally as Zlatan will be able to feed off quality through balls and crosses. Mkhitaryan’s style of play also lets him get into goal scoring positions himself so United fans can expect him to bag his fair share of goals.
Verdict
Coming into a League such as the EPL in which high-intensity football is the order of the day, Mkhitaryan might find it hard to replicate his Bundesliga form in the English top flight. However, with the star-studded Lineup Jose Mourinho has at his disposal, he should be able to get best out of his new signing.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan will certainly try to assume the role of United’s main assists outlet hence the club’s fans can expect many goals from the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Anthony Martial.