Man United manager Jose Mourinho finally handed a start to Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the Europa League, and the Armenian midfielder delivered big time.
Mkhitaryan has been on the periphery of the first team at Manchester United for the past two months. His first — and until last night, only — start had come in the Manchester derby. Mourinho has since used him sparingly as a substitute.
The 27-year-old received his big chance against Feyenoord in United’s penultimate Europa League group stage game, and he grasped the opportunity with both feet.
Even though he didn’t start in his preferred number 10 role, Mkhitaryan was one of the best players on the pitch. His pace and creativity were on full display in am imperious performance from the left wing.
Man United fans hailed Mkhitaryan after the match and urged Mourinho to continue playing the former Dortmund star.
Pace, skill, intelligence, enterprise, directness, strength – Mkhitaryan is everything United haven’t needed this season.
— Daniel Harris (@DanielHarris) November 24, 2016
Manchester United fans take in Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s performance tonight ? pic.twitter.com/fjpRakEyKw
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) November 24, 2016
Wow. That Mkhitaryan was decent ?
— Stephen Howson (@MrStephenHowson) November 24, 2016
Mkhitaryan was very good today and will only get better with the more time he gets on the pitch. #MatchdayMac
— Full Time DEVILS (@FullTimeDEVILS) November 24, 2016
Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s game by numbers vs. Feyenoord:
100% take-ons
85% pass accuracy
6 shots
3 chances created
2 aerial duels wonInvolved. pic.twitter.com/l7MQ6MsMpc
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) November 25, 2016
We look a totally different side with Mkhitaryan in the team. Hopefully after last night Jose has realized this.
— Shibani (@shibani_mufc) November 25, 2016
What a beast this guy is. #Mkhitaryan
— aiman ? (@Aimanovic9) November 24, 2016
Mkhitaryan beast mode tonight, this total domination #GGMU
— HENRY ORIWO (@ajonyo) November 24, 2016
Hope we’ll see Mkhitaryan ‘THE BEAST’ from now on.#MUFC
— rahul (@rpk_mufc) November 24, 2016
Best flow of football I’ve watched all season. #Mkhitaryan is a difference maker. Keep feeding that beast, Jose. #ManUtd
— Nephew Hamza (@Nephewhamza) November 24, 2016
Mkhitaryan absolute beast! #MUFC
— Rizky MUFC (@Rizkyyuwonoo) November 25, 2016
Mkhitaryan was unleashed and impressed. Hope he starts next game. Unreal pace and creativity.
— Its Sir Luis Andres (@Rooneyspint) November 25, 2016
Jose: Start Mkhitaryan at once
Inner Jose: Troll them till November pic.twitter.com/kxW7DhEfBf— Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) November 24, 2016
Mourinho: Mkhitaryan played amazing tonight. I should start him from now on.
Inner Mourinho: Bench him until the next Europa League game. pic.twitter.com/bNpYMCBlCW
— Footy Humour (@FootyHumour) November 24, 2016
