Despite being forced out of Manchester United, one former player is proud of what he achieved at Old Trafford
Henrikh Mkhitaryan celebrating with Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Ander Herrera
Henrikh Mkhitaryan ended his Manchester United career with several pieces of silverware(Image: 2017 Manchester United FC)
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan has acknowledged he endured "hard" times at Manchester United as his two old clubs prepare to square up on Sunday.
The 37-year-old, now plying his trade with Inter Milan, arrived at the Red Devils in a £26million transfer from Borussia Dortmund in 2016. Though reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool at the time, it was United – under Jose Mourinho's stewardship – who secured his services.
Yet Mkhitaryan's Old Trafford spell fell short of expectations, culminating in his departure just 18 months later to join the Gunners in a swap arrangement that brought Alexis Sanchez to United.
While he never replicated his German form, the attacking midfielder claimed silverware during his debut campaign, lifting both the Europa League and EFL Cup, and netting in the 2-0 European final triumph over Ajax.
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His second campaign witnessed a sharp reduction in playing opportunities as Mourinho sought to move him on. Describing his period under the renowned manager as "very hard", Mkhitaryan maintained it proved a valuable learning experience.
In a 2021 interview with The Athletic, he reflected: "I never regret my decisions. At that time, he (Mourinho) was one of the most successful coaches in the world. I think he was the coach with the most trophies. So that was a different experience.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan receiving instructions from Jose Mourinho
Henrikh Mkhitaryan admitted his time working under Jose Mourinho was "very hard"(Image: Nikolay Doychinov/AFP via Getty Images)
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"It was very hard but I learned a lot as well. I learned how to defend, how to help the team. It was not only about scoring goals and making assists. It was more about the team winning so it doesn't matter who scored, we had to win together.
"It didn't matter who made the assist we must always be happy that we won the game." Concluding his United career with 13 goals across 63 appearances, the Armenian emphasised that despite his brief period at the club, he contributed to multiple trophy successes.
"What I want to say is that I had a hard time but after the first two or three months there, I had a very good time," he added. "I won three trophies with the club, which was amazing. You know, some players have been playing in Manchester for ages but they haven't won anything."
Henrikh Mkhitaryan in action for Arsenal last season
The Armenian icon struggled at Arsenal(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
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Mkhitaryan's spell at the Emirates proved even less fruitful, managing just nine goals in 59 appearances and departing Arsenal empty-handed. He transferred to Roma in 2019, spending three years there before joining Inter in 2022, where he continues to play.
In his autobiography 'My Life Always at the Centre', Mkhitaryan explored his difficult relationship with Mourinho and disclosed the extraordinary measures the former Chelsea manager supposedly took to orchestrate his exit. "I told him, you've been criticising me for a year-and-a-half now, ever since I arrived at Manchester United," he penned.
"Mourinho told me I was 's***' and I just lost my temper. 'You are the s***. An enormous one.' Mou replied: 'Get out of here, I never want to see you again. During the training sessions, the coach said nothing to me, he remained at a religious level of silence, but every evening he'd send me a message via WhatsApp.
"'Miki, leave, please.' The situation had become grotesque. I'd reply every time with the same copy and paste response. 'I will leave if I find the right team, otherwise I'll wait for the summer.' Towards the middle of January, the text changed slightly. 'Miki, please leave, that way I can get Alexis Sanchez.' Mino Raiola was working on this exchange with Arsenal."
The Armenian international recalled his final stance, stating, "So my response mutated too. 'I am not leaving just to do you a favour, and please stop writing to me. If you want, talk to Mino.' And everyone lived happily ever after."
His two previous English clubs face each other at the Emirates this afternoon, with Arsenal aiming to extend their advantage at the summit of the Premier League.