The Manchester Musings: It’s time for Mourinho to bench Mkhitaryan

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund at the beginning of last season and took his time to make an impression as manager Jose Mourinho decided he wasn’t to become a regular player until later in the winter.

He soon picked up form and somewhat became a popular player with United fans.

Henrikh, now in his second season at Old Trafford, statistically had a fine start to this season with five assists in his first three Premier League appearances. But, as Manchester United’s playmaker, Mkhitaryan’s role is vital and he simply isn’t performing.

Mkhi hasn’t assisted a goal for the red devils since his fifth assist of the season in the 2-0 win over Leicester City, back in August. Despite that Mkhitaryan has managed to score two goals, both coming in games where United have scored four.

The Armenian midfielder has not completed one single ninety-minute Premier League game this season, with Jose Mourinho opting to sub him off on every occasion that he has started and it is not difficult to understand the Portuguese boss’ reasoning.

Although, Jose may be more motivated to sub him off for the defensive aspects of the game when United are leading, as with Juan Mata last season, Jose often replaced him with a taller player and was consistent in telling the media that was the reason.

Ultimately, Mkhitaryan has been frustrating to watch for United this season, a shadow of the player he showed us he could be last season and it is simply not good enough. He regularly gives the ball away, seems to avoid 50/50 battles for the ball and you even get the feeling that he’s hiding!

It’s time for Jose Mourinho to drop him, he needs something to spark a revival, a break from the team maybe? At this moment in time, I’m thinking he’ll be sold next summer and replaced, I say with hope, by outgoing Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.

 

Written by Jordan Hackett

Follow Jordan on Twitter @Devildart180

Like O-Posts on Facebook

You can also follow O-Posts on Twitter @OPosts