Manchester United handed one of their big money summer transfer window acquisitions, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, just his second start of the season tonight. He made the most of his opportunity, taking a game high six shots in United’s 4-0 win over Feyenoord Rotterdam in the UEFA Europa League. The £26 million purchase featured for just the seventh time this season.
it was just his second appearance (Europa League versus Fenerbahce was the other) since September 10th in the Manchester Derby. That match against City was also the only previous start for Mkhitaryan this year.
Manchester United Manager Jose Mourinho was pleased with both the result and Mkhitaryan today and articulated what he saw:
“He just needs now to try to replicate this kind of performance in the Premier League,” Mourinho said.
“The Premier League is different. He needs one more step. Obviously now the confidence level is higher. This performance gives him the right to believe that he can play the next match.
“The Premier League has more physicality, more aggression. He needs a bit more of that. But, with the quality, we know why we bought him. He has a high level of technical quality. He’s very intelligent, very bright, with how he reads the game.”
The Armenian national team captain has only played 105 Premier League minutes in total this season.
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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