Henrikh Mkhitaryan says Manchester United fans are yet to see him hit the top form as he promises to add more goals and assists to his name in the next season.
The Armenian international became Jose Mourinho’s one of four signings last summer, having arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund. He had a difficult start to his life in the Premier League as he failed to make his way into the Red Devils’ starting lineup.
Mourinho publicly criticised the 28-year-old’s display in United’s 2-1 Europa League defeat against Fenerbahce in November. However, the ex-Bundesliga star bounced back and since then has managed four goals and five assists in all competitions.
Mkhitaryan has stressed there is room for improvement in his game and he remains confident of achieving the feat at Old Trafford.
“No, not yet. I still have places where I can improve and room to improve. I know myself very well and I am sure than I can do better, and I will do better, because I am confident,” Mkhitaryan told United Review, the club’s official matchday programme.
“I know very well within myself I can do more, I want to say that, for next year, I am going to have more goals and more assists.
“Of course, you can improve in every aspect. There is not one side that you can say I am good on it and then I don’t have to work on that facet. You have to work on every side to your game, in every aspect, because you just have to keep working hard to improve.”
United suffered a goalless draw against West Bromwich Albion on 2 April and the Portuguese tactician was not impressed with his forwards’ display, which included Mkhitaryan in the list. The playmaker was subsequently dropped from the starting XI to face Everton after Mourinho was unhappy with his performance against the Baggies.
“It is one of my goals for this season – to win the Europa League. Of course, I know it is not going to be easy, particularly at this stage of the competition as there are no easy opponents. Obviously, we understand the importance of the tie with Anderlecht in the quarter-finals,” he said.
“We know that we are going to have two very tough games and, of course, Anderlecht are not easy opponents. I realise some people think: ‘Ah, we’ve got Anderlecht, so it is going to be easy to beat them’ but it is not like that.
“I know this because I have watched some of their games during their participation in Europe and I can say they are playing very well and they have very good with players of high quality.”
Source: Naveen Ullal
