Just over a week ago, Manchester United’s big money summer transfer window acquisition Henrikh Mkhitaryan hadn’t played in three weeks. The £26 million acquisition had only featured six times during the season at that point and only once (in the Europa League versus Fenerbahce) since September 10th in the much over-hyped Manchester Derby.
At that point, Mkhitaryan had only one start on the season, and that came way back on September 10th versus Manchester City. By Thanksgiving, he had accrued just 105 minutes in total during this Premier League season.
But then he was promised a feature, maybe even a start, in the Europa League against Feyenoord by Manager Jose Mourinho. Mkhitaryan did start, and tonight, he earned his second start this week, this time in EFL Cup competition. The Armenian National Team Captain was named to the first team for the second time in just four days.
Mkhitaryan vowed that he would fight for his place, and indeed he has. The result? a 4-1 trouncing of the Hammers in the Quarter-Finals, which saw Mkhitaryan named Man of the Match, as he achieved two assists in just over a half.
United will now take on Hull City in the semi-finals. It’s shaping up to be a United-Liverpool match-up in the EFL Cup Final.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan is your Man of the Match tonight.
Well deserved! ? #MUFC pic.twitter.com/P3sxC5PKxD
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) November 30, 2016
Mkhitaryan vs West Ham:
Touches [59]
Passes [46]
Pass accuracy [94%]
Chances created [7]
Assists [2]— UnitedReview (@TheUtdReview) November 30, 2016
What’s next for Mkhitaryan?
Possibly more minutes in the Premier League this season? We shall see, as he certainly sent a message with his play today. He is no doubt deserving of more time on the pitch, as he’s optimizing the minutes that he’s currently receiving.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.
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