Henrikh Mkhitaryan opened the scoring against FC Rostov in Russia to hand United a crucial away goal but the Red Devils could only manage a draw against Ivan Daniliants’ side last night in the UEFA Europa League.
On a pitch that Mourinho had been raging about prior to the match, the manager decided to start the Armenian despite his worries about an injury and Mkhitaryan proved that decision right as he scored United’s only goal of the match.
Twitter was full of appreciation for the midfielder after the match after another fine performance. Marouane Fellaini’s performance also had people wanting the midfielder to be given more credit, although lots of fans weren’t convinced.
3 – Henrikh Mkhitaryan is the first @ManUtd player to score in three successive European games since Wayne Rooney in March 2010. Consistent.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 9, 2017
Henrikh Mkhitaryan has been directly involved in six goals in his last seven appearances [4 goals and 2 assists].
— ㅤ (@TheUtdReview) March 9, 2017
Mkhitaryan gives United the lead at Rostov..
0-1#UEL
pic.twitter.com/fjtOqSEt15— ManUtd Goals (@MUnitedGoals) March 9, 2017
Once again, Mkhitaryan finds himself in the right place at the right time. Such a hard player to mark, floats around the box so well.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 9, 2017
Superb from Fellaini. Mark of a good player they can score while struggling to perform. Mkhitaryan so vital. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) March 9, 2017
Genuinely think Fellaini should be back in the lineup lol
— Josh ?⚪ (@Rashfordona) March 10, 2017
Its nice to see @Fellaini proving people wrong against rostov.
— Sparkes Ankh Shabaka (@SPARKEStv) March 10, 2017
A front 4 of Rashford,Martial,Pogba + Mkhitaryan against Chelsea ??
Get Fellaini 2 knee Kante in the face in the 1st 5 mins ??? sorted#Mufc— martyn hurry (@hurrymartyn) March 10, 2017
I’m Fellaini’s biggest critic but fair play he was immense last nte ??#Mufc
— martyn hurry (@hurrymartyn) March 10, 2017
Jones was asleep when Rustov scored, conceded a penalty vs bornemouth but we troll Fellaini who was fantastic yesterday. #MUFC
— yahyaakaamil (@yahyaakaamil) March 10, 2017
If Rostov away didn’t convince people of the value of having Fellaini in the #MUFC squad nothing ever will.
— hongo (@hongo_jr) March 10, 2017
Says a lot when Fellaini has been the most skilful player on the pitch
— Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 9, 2017
Fellaini was probably our best player in one of the worst pitches. Its all making sense now.
— ㅤ (@VintageUtd) March 9, 2017
Fellaini our best player, on a pitch you can’t play football on. Interesting.
— John Ashton (@thedoveman1982) March 9, 2017
This game was made for Marouane Fellaini. He is so good at creating chances from scrappy play. Doing really well balancing the midfield.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) March 9, 2017
Fellaini, I haven’t appreciated a chest this much since Pamela Anderson in the 90s
— Chase Failey (@ChaseFailey) March 9, 2017
Aleksandr Bukharov’s fine finish also got Twitter talking. Bukharov showed great composure to first take a great first touch with this chest before slotting the ball in past goalkeeper Sergio Romero.
Aleksandr Bukharov: Has scored or assisted a goal in each of his last 4 apps for FC Rostov (3 goals, 2 assists) #ROSMUN
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 9, 2017
Bukharov finished a chance that Zlatan’s missed a dozen times this season.
— RG⁶ (@registability) March 9, 2017
Aleksandr Bukharov: MotM vs Manchester United, Rating 7.36, Goals 1, Shots 2, Interceptions 1, Aerial Duels Won 6 @rostovfc pic.twitter.com/t3oK3TpvAo
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) March 9, 2017
Good control & finish by Bukharov but wonderful pass from Kalachev & wretched defending by Jones #ROSMUN
— Henry Winter (@henrywinter) March 9, 2017
what a finish from bukharov
— Jack Bibby (@bibaldhinio) March 9, 2017
There were plenty of jokes and anger aimed Rostov’s way given how bad the conditions of their pitch were. United fans were understandably unhappy but many saw the lighter side of things.
Live scenes as Marcos Rojo tests out how hard Rostov’s pitch is…?
? @TheFootballRep pic.twitter.com/aYXCpHBfAQ
— BenchWarmers (@BeWarmers) March 9, 2017
Rostov’s pitch and Rooney’s hair are too similar ?? pic.twitter.com/BATYCuTpAM
— GeniusFootball (@GeniusFootball) March 10, 2017
Jose Mourinho on ROSTOV’s pitch: “I remember some matches like this as a kid in Portugal league 2.” ?
— Ahsan (@Ahsi_7) March 9, 2017
Gary Neville on the pitch in Rostov: “I would have looked great on that pitch. Bring everyone right back to my level.” #mufc
— Manchester United (@paulpogba1997) March 9, 2017
If you didn’t know how hard the Rostov pitch is, watch this. It’s literally bounced about 5 of Daley Blind’s size. pic.twitter.com/rHuKIAYoYU
— Jordan (@FourFourJordan) March 9, 2017
Looking for a decent patch of grass on the Rostov pitch like….?? pic.twitter.com/ISu7PANFbi
— The F2 (@TheF2) March 9, 2017
If Rostov pitch was a person. pic.twitter.com/yXpM1Gug9S
— Wicky (@Wicknes007) March 9, 2017
Plenty of chat about the quality of the pitch in Rostov ahead of tonight’s game. Not bad for the time of year, if you ask me. pic.twitter.com/yjU9rdgooN
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) March 9, 2017
