Mino Raiola Explains Mkhitaryan’s Poor Start At Old Trafford

Mino Raiola has jumped to the defense of his client Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who has come in for heavy criticism in recent weeks due to his poor form.

Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United this summer in a £26.3 million move from Borussia Dortmund. Much was expected from the Armenian – the first of his country to play in the Premier League – but he has failed to live up to expectations so far.

The attacking midfielder was one of the best players in the Bundesliga last season, scoring 11 goals as well as picking up 15 assists.

However, since moving to Old Trafford, he has struggled to find his best form. He has made three appearances off the bench, and was seen as one of the game changers in United’s scrappy 1-0 win against Hull City.

---

SUBSCRIBE to BlameFootball on Youtube

---

While his introduction at the KC Stadium gave United fans hope that they had finally found the pacey, eagle-eyed creative play-maker they so desperately needed, his debut gave them the exact opposite feeling.

Mkhitaryan went away with Armenia on International duty and suffered a knock in the first friendly against the Czech Republic in an off-the-ball collision with Marek Suchy. The injury kept him out of his country’s second friendly against Denmark, and he returned to Manchester to recover.

However, doubts were raised as to whether he would be fully fit in time for the Manchester Derby against City at Old Trafford. Yet, despite the player himself not being sure about his fitness, Mourinho decided to play the 27-year-old from the get-go, and it backfired.

---

Also See:

VIDEO: Watford’s Deeney Takes The Piss Out Of Pogba By Dabbing

---

Mkhitaryan’s performance was nothing short of disastrous, and he was hauled off at half-time, as his team went on to lose the game 2-1.

Since then, United have suffered back-to-back defeats against Feyenoord in the Europa League, and Watford in the Premier League, and the Armenian forward did not play a single minute of those matches.

However, the player’s agent Mino Raiola believes the midfielder will come good once he’s back to full fitness.

Raiola said: ‘Mkhi was the best player in the German league the last two seasons. He has a strong mentality and will be an asset once fully fit.

‘Sometimes it is better to lose because you realise you are not what you thought. I still think United will win the league though as they now have the quality.’

 

Follow us on Twitter and Like us on Facebook