Manchester United star Mkhitaryan can improve Pogba and Ibrahimovic
"I like difficulties. I like to win the difficulties because when you win the difficulties it makes you stronger," he explained. Mkhitaryan has quickly encountered a difficulty at United - losing his first-team berth to Juan Mata, a player who might have dreaded Mourinho's appointment after their six months together at Chelsea.
Mata has responded positively to Mourinho's and Mkhitaryan's arrivals. Productive in the friendly win over Galatasaray last month, he overcame the disappointment of being the substituted substitute - an ignominy past United players Luke Chadwick and Paddy McNair have suffered - to start and score at Bournemouth ahead of Mkhitaryan and retain his place against Southampton.
Mkhitaryan only attempted six passes after he came on but every one was aimed forward and the awareness he showed to tee up Pogba's late drive on the counter-attack was particularly impressive. It seemed easy enough: retain, wait and pass, but Mkhitaryan did it flawlessly, luring Southampton opponents towards the ball to free up space for the dashing Pogba. Mata, for all his elegance, is not especially quick on the turn.
It is Mkhitaryan's ability to increase the pace on the counter which must have endeared him to Mourinho.
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