In Mkhitaryan, Manchester United “have their first modern playmaker”August 29, 2016 - 16:12 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Manchester United playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan showed why he should be starting for Jose Mourinho in the Premier League win vs Hull, football writer Samuel Luckhurst said in an article on the Manchester Evening News. After a cameo against Southampton Henrikh Mkhitaryan was treated to a supporting role at Hull. Last week, he was like Christopher Walken in Pulp Fiction, understatedly gripping the audience in the little time he had. At the KC Stadium, Mkhitaryan was as destructive as Heath Ledger's Joker in The Dark Knight, cutting through the game and causing mayhem, Luckhurst says. “The only surprise about Mkhitaryan's introduction was it was so belated. Jose Mourinho said prior to the game he had retained the same front four to preserve the 'stability', despite Anthony Martial's subdued showings, Juan Mata's ponderous play and Wayne Rooney's immobility off Zlatan Ibrahimovic,” the article says. Analyzing Mourinho’s latest decisions, the author adds: “In Mkhitaryan, United have their first modern playmaker. He was not flawless at Hull - Mkhitaryan's errant touch allowed the battle-hardened Curtis Davies to make a crucial block, but his enterprise reiterated why he should be starting.” Mkhitaryan managed more shots than Rooney and Mata, made just as many attacking third passes as the Spaniard (and just four shy of Rooney) and misplaced the ball just twice, an impressive feat in difficult conditions when faced by a black and amber wall for 30 minutes. With Mkhitaryan on, Ibrahimovic was not dropping deep and Paul Pogba had a creative foil. The 4-2-3-1 formation was problematic under Louis van Gaal yet the quality Mourinho has brought to United negates it, especially if Mkhitaryan is starting. Top stories Armenian gymnast, Olympic bronze medalist Artur Davtyan has reached the finals of the World Cup. Gor Manvelyan has denied reports alleging that he has expressed a desire to one day play for the French national team. Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not considering FC Spartak Moscow as his next haven, according to fresh reports. 10 Armenian lifters will compete in the 2021 World Championships scheduled to be held from 7 to 17 December in Tashkent. Partner news | Turkey extends military presence in Azerbaijan The Turkish parliament has adopted a bill submitted by Recep Tayyip Erdogan to extend the mandate of Turkish troops. Russia to begin assessing migrant workers' speaking skills Rosobrnadzor is planning to change the Russian language exam for migrant workers and include an assessment of speaking skills Armenian, Saudi Foreign Minister meet in Riyadh The two commended the positive dynamics of the development of political dialogue between Armenia and Saudi Arabia Pashinyan: Azerbaijan’s proximity shouldn’t worry border residents At the same time, he said that he “does not guarantee [the security of villagers] one hundred percent”. |