Manchester United star Henrikh Mkhitaryan hits back at critics: I am not a flop

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN has rubbished claims his career has gone downhill since joining Manchester United.

Posted Monday, July 24, 2017 by Dailystar.co.uk

Henrikh Mkhitaryan moved to Manchester United last summer for £30m from Dortmund

The Armenian international joined United last summer from Borussia Dortmund in a £30m deal.

He arrived at Old Trafford having been voted Bundesliga 'Player of the Year' during the previous season.

But he has struggled to establish himself in his first campaign in England under Jose Mourinho.

He had to wait until the Manchester derby in September to make his full debut, but was hauled off at half time following a woeful performance.

He did not figure in Mourinho's side again until November and critics questioned if United had made an expensive mistake in signing him.

But Mkhitaryan insists he has no regrets about joining United and has laughed off suggestions he is not the same footballer as he was at Dortmund.

He said: "For sure I will be a better player for this experience.

"Some people they say, 'You have been another player in Dortmund' - but I'm saying I never regret coming here. I am very happy and coming here I become another player.

"Last year with my difficulties they helped me a lot. I could stay more strong in my mind, like mentally.

"I never said that I had hard times here. It shows that you are strong enough to win them over or not.

"I think I have done everything to work hard, to show everyone I can play and that I can do my best for the team.

"In these kind of moments, if you are giving up you are going to lose the meaning of the life.

"I mean you have to stay positive, you have to stay strong and work very hard because in one click everything can change and that’s what happened."

Mkhitaryan does admit Mourinho has demanded more from him this season and he added:

"I am expecting something good, because I know that you can always do better and better. There is no limit. I will try, I will try my best.

"The manager in general is saying that we need to do more.

"Everyone understands that because we know this season is going to be a little bit harder because we are not going to play in Europa League we are going to play in Champions League, which is different.

We are working very hard on it and we are sure we can have good results. I think there is always a place to improve.

"It doesn't matter how you did last year. It has been a good year for us, for me as well, because we won three titles.

"But I know for this upcoming season I can do better and better. I'm trying, I'm working hard on myself and I know that I will achieve more.

"In general, I can improve. I'm not saying just goals or assists. As well the playing style, the understanding between my team-mates, I mean everything."