Henrikh Mkhitaryan has issued a response to Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho insisting he is ready to fight to achieve his dream at Old Trafford.
The Armenia international was one of four high profile signings made by Mourinho over the summer but the former Borussia Dortmund creator has been cast to the side and endured a disastrous start to life at United.
Mourinho reportedly has doubts whether Mkhitaryan is capable of succeeding in the Premier League and the physicality the league adopts, but the 27-year-old is not backing and down and is determined to be a success at Old Trafford.
“It is true that I get little time on the field but I am not going to give in,” Mkhitaryan told reporters following an announcement that he has become a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF in his native Armenia, via United’s official website.
“I went a long way to play in Manchester United so nothing will prevent me from achieving my dream. I will not retreat, I will find the strength to reach my goal.”
Mkhitaryan has only managed 107 of a possible 990 minutes of action in the Premier League this season and his only start came in the Manchester Derby defeat at the start of September, when he was substituted off after 45 minutes.
The Armenian creator was regarded as one of the best players in his position last season after starring under Thomas Tuchel at Dortmund. In fact, only four players registered more assists in Europe’s big five leagues last season than Mkhitaryan (15).
For more stats on Henrikh Mkhitaryan, click here to visit his WhoScored player page