Henrikh Mkhitaryan
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is determined to fight for his place at Manchester United despite being left out of the matchday squad for Wednesday night’s EFL Cup victory over Manchester City.
The Armenian international has made only four appearances for United since joining from Borussia Dortmund in the summer for around £30m, the last being the 2-1 defeat to City on 10 September when he was substituted at half-time. That means Mkhitaryan has played just 105 minutes in the Premier League for his new club.
He had been expected to feature against City on Wednesday and was pictured arriving at Old Trafford with the rest of the squad before kick-off, only to be informed that he would be watching the game from the stands. It is understood that the 27-year-old was surprised not to be involved having taken a full part in training in the buildup to the match but will not seek a move away from United in January.
Last week, José Mourinho – who was charged with misconduct on Thursday over comments he made about the referee Anthony Taylor prior to the game against Liverpool – admitted Mkhitaryan “has to work more to get the intensity and fitness to play at a high level”.
That also came as a shock to the forward, who was voted the Bundesliga’s player of the Season after his performances for Dortmund last season, although he did admit in pre-season that it could take time for him to settle into English football.
“It doesn’t matter if they buy me for, I don’t know, £38m or £40m, I am not guaranteed to play the games,” Mkhitaryan said.
“So I am trying to do my best during the training to earn this place to play and then we will see, because I don’t think I will play every game, depending on the tactical situation, depending on the opponent. But I will do everything to try and help the team.”
I reckon Moron will win by 10-0
It could be an issue with the pace, intensity and slightly more physical nature of the Premiership vs the slower, more technical Bundesliga
Kagawa struggled here, as did Sahin
Mkhtaryan is used to more time and space to play and dictate
Kagawa struggled here, as did Sahin
Mkhtaryan is used to more time and space to play and dictate
There are differences between leagues, but truly quality players usually make the adjustment (after a bit of time). I remember how Willian or Fernandinho both looked a step too slow in their first couple of months here. Or Firmino for that matter.
I'm not sure Şahin would have struggled so much here had he gone to Arsenal. It's widely excepted that he was mis-handled by Rodgers.
Widely accepted? By who? He's often struggled with his fitness, and he needs a team built around him, and he isn't good enough to justify it.
Another one-paced shuffler who needs all the time and space in the world and sulks when he doesn't get it
At least Jurgen Klopp did.
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Before joining Liverpool, Sahin generally plied his trade as a deep-lying playmaker. But at Liverpool, Brendan Rodgers kept playing him out of position in the number 10 role, just behind the striker, in which Sahin never looked settled.
After his loan spell with Liverpool came to a premature end, he was loaned back to his former club Borussia Dortmund which later signed him permanently.
And back then, Jurgen Klopp highlighted the reason as to why his loan move to the Reds wasn't a success.
Klopp was quoted in an interview for BBC as saying,"It was the wrong position. If you are a number 8 or 6 and you have to play in at number 9 or 10, it's not possible. Of course, for some guys, it's possible."
Klopp further questioned Brendan Rodgers' philosophy by adding, "Nuri is a brilliant player but not nine-and-a-half or not 10 and I don't know why Brendan Rodgers will do this".
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Said similar things regarding Kagawa.
[article]Klopp told the Guardian: 'Shinji Kagawa is one of the best players in the world and he now plays 20 minutes at Manchester United - on the left wing!
'My heart breaks. Really, I have tears in my eyes.
'Central midfield is Shinji's best role. He's an offensive midfielder with one of the best noses for goal I ever saw.
'But for most Japanese people it means more to play for Man United than Dortmund. We cried for 20 minutes, in each others' arms, when he left.
'One year before that Nuri Sahin went because Real Madrid is the biggest club in the world.
'If players are patient enough we can develop the team into one of the biggest in the world.'
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I'm very aware what Klopp's opinion is.
And I'm not arsed. They were both shit in England.
And I'm not arsed. They were both shit in England.
Some players will adapt and change their game. While I think Sahin and Kagawa were played out of position, I can't help feel a better player would adapt. That being said, I'd love to see them both under Klopp again
He only made 7 appearances and even then he was played in the wrong position.
At the risk of repeating myself, he made 7 appearances for Liverpool. How quick would you have him adapt?
They didnt succeed in England but both were played out of position.
Kagawa could have been a hit in a different team in his natural position.
Arsenal etc would have suited him I guess but who knows.
Sahin didnt play many games but he had a lesser chance of succeeding in all honesty. Quality wise I dont think he had it in him to compensate for any lack of physical presence.
But to few games and was played out of position mind.
Kagawa could have been a hit in a different team in his natural position.
Arsenal etc would have suited him I guess but who knows.
Sahin didnt play many games but he had a lesser chance of succeeding in all honesty. Quality wise I dont think he had it in him to compensate for any lack of physical presence.
But to few games and was played out of position mind.
I don't disagree that both were a bit of a disaster in England, I just think Şahin in particular would have done better if he'd have gone to Arsenal - not ripped up the league, just better.
It was a bit of an odd move really, we seemed to have gotten one over Arsenal but then Rodgers didn't really seem know how to use him nor want to. Bizarrely, you could say the same about his wee Welsh Xavi - despite all the fawning and hype from Rodgers when we signed him, I never felt he really gave Allen a fair crack. You can't say he has a blindspot for this type of player because Allen was such a success under him at Swansea.
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