Jose Mourinho stands accused of damaging Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s career.
Artur Petrosyan, Mkhitaryan's boss with the Armenia national team, claims Manchester United counterpart Mourinho “had a problem” with the player and put too much “pressure” on him to do defensive work — and says he was “very happy” when his country’s star player moved to Arsenal this week in a swap for Alexis Sanchez.
Petrosyan said: “I think Henrikh had a problem with the United coach and at Arsenal, it will be another thing and not the same situation. There will not be so much pressure on him defensively.
“Yes, he (Wenger) likes them to play better football. I think Wenger is better for Henrikh.
“I think the (Manchester United) fans liked him. I think that means he did something for the club.
“I am not happy with Mourinho’s decision not to play him, but it is his club, his team — he knows what he wants. It is good he has left.”
Mkhitaryan arrived at Old Trafford in a £27million deal with a reputation as one of Europe’s biggest stars, yet struggled to fit into the Mourinho style and barely got a look-in.
In his last season at Borussia Dortmund, he was voted the Bundesliga Players’ Player of the Year, but his 18 months at United proved a massive disappointment.
Petrosyan added: “We are very happy with this transfer from Manchester United. His style of play will be better suited at Arsenal.
“I only spoke with Miki and I cannot tell you about my talks with Miki because it was between us, but I told you about my impression that I was not happy with Mourinho.”
Fans are debating who got the better end of the swap for Sanchez, but Petrosyan believes Mkhitaryan will prove at Arsenal that he is one of the best players in the Premier League and also insists the midfielder is a model professional.
Petrosyan said: “I think Henrikh can do very well in the Premier League. He can continue in a good mood, in a good way. He is always one of the best players in the Premier League but under this manager – Wenger – he will become even stronger.
“We are playing in March, a friendly against Lithuania. Henrikh will play.
“He wants to play. Even if he played twice a week at his club, he would want to play every game for Armenia. Even if I say, ‘you play just one half’ he says, 'No, I play all the game.'"