Henrikh Mkhitaryan has offered an insight into his relationship with the new Roma manager Jose Mourinho and the team’s ambitions ahead of the new season. In an interview with Corriere dello Sport, the former Manchester United forward admitted he and Mourinho buried the hatchets following a turbulent time at Old Trafford.
Mkhitaryan played under the Portuguese tactician for a year and a half, joining Manchester United only two months following the Special One’s appointment in summer 2016. After playing a part in the Red Devils’ title-winning Europa League campaign in his first season at England, the 32-year-old lost his place in Mourinho’s starting XI.
Indeed, the ex-Inter boss was the one to sanction Mkhitaryan’s departure as part of the deal to bring Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal. The Armenian never managed to adapt to the new environment at the Emirates, which saw him leave the Premier League to team up with Roma in 2019.
A move to Serie A has helped the former Borussia Dortmund attacking midfielder get his career back on track. Mkhitaryan has amassed 24 goals and laid on 19 assists in 73 appearances for Roma across all competitions, establishing himself as an indispensable first-team member at the Stadio Olimpico.
He enjoyed a stellar 2020/21 Serie A season under the stewardship of Paulo Fonseca, racking up 15 goals and 11 assists in 34 top-flight outings. However, Roma’s inability to qualify for the Champions League saw the club fire Fonseca and hand over the managerial reins to Mourinho.
Given the pair’s history, there have been some doubts about Mkhitaryan’s future at Roma, but the player insists he and Mourinho can co-exist despite their previous arguments.
“What happened in Manchester stays there,” he told Corriere dello Sport.
“We spoke as mature people, we both want to go down the same path, we both want to win something with Roma and that is the only thing that matters this year.“
Mkhitaryan also reflected on Roma’s chances of competing for the Serie A title next term.
“We will do everything to be protagonists and bring home as many victories as possible,” he concluded.