Mkhitaryan pleased to have proven a point at Man Utd

Henrikh Mkhitaryan insists his Manchester United breakthrough was never in doubt after Jose Mourinho finally pulled the trigger on the Armenian last month.

While Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic were the marquee signings to have walked through the doors of Old Trafford over the summer, many believed Mkhitaryan’s signature held just as much promise.

But the man who scored 23 goals for Borussia Dortmund last season – and assisted a further 26 – only appeared in five games until November marked a turning point in his United career.

Following man-of-the-match nods against Feyenoord and West Ham United, the 27-year-old is in Mourinho’s good books – something he believes was only ever going to be a matter of time.

(Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

“I started playing so I’m positive,” said Mkhitaryan. “I think positively and I am glad to have more playing time for the future because it’s something that is not predictable.

“You have to be ready for every situation. I was ready and I showed I am a top-level player. It doesn’t matter if I am going to play or not, I am always ready to help the team.

“I have spoken a lot (with Mourinho); first, when I came here and he told me what I have to improve. I think he saw I improved in that time and he gave me the next chance to play again.

“It was difficult to watch the games without me but I have proved that I can play with the main squad. Now I can repeat it and I can prove it again.”