Manchester United have talent and depth at the forward positions, and provided everyone stays healthy, this should only increase come January when Zlatan Ibrahimovic is re-integrated into the mix. Thus, all the attacking players need to be bringing their A-game at all times.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Manager Jose Mourinho’s very first United transfer buy, has had his ups and downs at Old Trafford since coming over from Borussia Dortmund last summer.
The captain of the Armenian national team got off to a slow start at Old Trafford, and he didn’t integrate quickly into the team, taking some time to adjust. However, he developed into a huge contributor in UEFA Europa League competition, netting six goals to help MUFC hoist the trophy for the first time in their history.
Now Mourinho wants to see Mkhitaryan do it against the big boys.
Sources have told ESPN FC that while Mourinho has been impressed by Mkhitaryan’s start to the season, which has seen him create five goals in three games, he wants the former Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder to raise his game to another level when United face their title rivals.
The United manager was disappointed by Mkhitaryan’s contribution and performances against the top four last season, with the player scoring just once in that sequence of games, during the 1-0 win against Tottenham at Old Trafford.
On the left wing, there’s already a position battle going on between Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford. If Mkhitaryan doesn’t produce, he could see his minutes replaced by any numbers of players, Juan Mata, Jesse Lingard and more.
With Mkhitaryan in the first team, United took all three points from each of their first three Premier League games, albeit against much weaker competition. They have yet to conceded a goal this season, as they sport a 10-0 goal differential on the season. Of course, they also won all three to open the season last year, and still finished in a very disappointing sixth place.
The first major test to come in league play is October 14th against arch-rival Liverpool. Two weeks later comes a clash with last year’s runner-up Tottenham Hotspur, and then eight days later a date with reigning champions Chelsea.
Thus, Mkhitaryan will get his chances soon enough.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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