Sports: Mourinho claims he and Henrikh Mkhitaryan proved Man Utd critics wrong

Panorama
Armenia – May 12 2022

Jose Mourinho insists he and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have proved their critics wrong by repairing their relationship at Roma this season, Daily Mirror reports.

It appeared to be a foregone conclusion that the Armenian would find a new club last summer with his contract running out due to his frosty relationship with 'The Special One' at Manchester United as the Portuguese manager replaced Paulo Fonseca at the Stadio Olimpico.

The midfielder spoke last year about how difficult it was to work under Mourinho when they were at United. Little did he know, the Portuguese was going to be unveiled as his new manager at Roma just weeks later.

But the pair settled their differences as Mkhitaryan penned a contract extension and has gone to be a key player under Mourinho, helping Roma reach the Europa Conference League final.

And Mourinho insists it gives him great pleasure that they have been able to silence the doubters and was quick to remind them that they won three trophies together at Old Trafford, which have turned out to be the club's last three pieces of silverware.

He told Sky Sports: "We won together three titles with Man Utd. Unfortunately it is the last three titles of Man Utd. I say unfortunately because I like the club very very much and I wish them the best. But we won three titles so everything went well, in the second season we were together things were different.

"The thing that makes me happy, in the beginning people go for a negative, and they were trying to say 'Mkhitaryan with Jose has no chance, Jose is the kind of the guy that when things go wrong they never go well again'. It has been proven the opposite, we were very mature, very honest with each other.

"We all know that I try always to be honest with the players and I saw my project in Roma needing a player like Miki, I also understand his importance in the group. He's having an amazing year, helping us cope with a small squad. He is playing everywhere – a winger, a 10, a central midfielder. I'm so happy with him and I'm happy with people understanding with me everything is not black and white."