Jose Mourinho's Criticism Of Henrikh Mkhitaryan Is Blunt And Brutal

Jose Mourinho has publicly criticised Henrikh Mkhitaryan after his form dipped big-time of late.

The Armenian started the season strongly, scoring twice and chipping in with five assists. However, he has not featured for United since playing 62 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to Chelsea at the start of the month, being completely left out of the squad for games against Newcastle and CSKA Moscow.

Images: PA

And though he will be back in the squad for the visit of Brighton, Mourinho brutally criticised him for not being at the races of late.

Speaking in a press conference yesterday, as quoted by Sky Sports, he said:

"I was not happy with his last performances and I am not speaking about one or two.

"I am speaking about three, four or five. He started the season very well and, after that, step by step, he was disappearing.

"His performance levels in terms of goal scoring, assists, high pressing, recovering the ball high on the pitch, bringing the team with him as a number 10, were decreasing step by step.

"That was enough because the others, they work to have a chance, everybody works to have a chance. So, it is as simple as that.

"For sure he will be back to the group and, for him to be back to the group, it means that somebody is going to leave the group.

"Maybe next press conference tomorrow after the match you are asking me why A was not on the pitch or why B was not even selected but that is life. You have to perform."

Mkhitaryan struggled at the start of his first season at United, having been substituted at half-time in his first Premier League start in the Manchester Derby in September.

He was then absent from the side for just under a month but he went on to find his feet and finished the season with seven goals as United won two trophies.

Image: PA

The former Shakhtar man has been linked with a return to former club Borussia Dortmund. As per the BBC, the German club have indicated they would be interested in bringing him back to Signal Iduna Park if he was available.

Topics: Football

Josh Lawless

Josh is a sports journalist who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

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