Full Breakdown
The Turbulent Relationship Between Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan
10/10/2025, 8:24:31 PM
Explosive Confrontation at Manchester United
Henrikh Mkhitaryan's tenure at Manchester United was marked by a tumultuous relationship with then-manager Jose Mourinho, which ultimately led to Mkhitaryan's transfer to Arsenal in January 2018. Mkhitaryan joined United from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, initially at Mourinho's request. However, his performance did not meet expectations, leading to a significant fallout between the two.
In his autobiography, *My Life Always at the Centre*, Mkhitaryan recounts a heated argument with Mourinho, where he expressed frustration over continuous criticism. Mkhitaryan stated, "I told him, you've been criticising me for a year-and-a-half now... Mourinho told me I was 's***' and I just lost my temper." The confrontation escalated, with Mourinho reportedly telling Mkhitaryan to "get out of here, I never want to see you again." Following this incident, Mourinho maintained a "religious level of silence" during training but began sending Mkhitaryan nightly WhatsApp messages urging him to leave the club.
The Role of Alexis Sanchez in the Transfer
The situation became increasingly strained as Mourinho sought to replace Mkhitaryan with Alexis Sanchez. Mkhitaryan noted that the tone of Mourinho's messages shifted, with the manager stating, "Miki, please leave, that way I can get Alexis Sanchez." Mkhitaryan's agent, Mino Raiola, facilitated discussions with Arsenal, but Mkhitaryan was clear in his response: "I am not leaving just to do you a favour, and please stop writing to me."
Ultimately, the transfer was finalized, with Mkhitaryan moving to Arsenal in a swap deal that saw Sanchez join Manchester United. Mkhitaryan later reflected on the situation with a sardonic remark, "And everyone lived happily ever after," highlighting Sanchez's struggles at United.
Reconciliation at AS Roma
After leaving Manchester United, Mkhitaryan found success at Arsenal, scoring nine goals in 58 appearances. His career took another turn when he reunited with Mourinho at AS Roma in 2021. The pair managed to mend their relationship, leading to a successful season where Mkhitaryan contributed significantly to Roma's Europa Conference League victory.
Mourinho later expressed satisfaction with their renewed partnership, stating, "We were very mature, very honest with each other." This reconciliation marked a stark contrast to their earlier tumultuous interactions at Manchester United.
Conclusion
The relationship between Jose Mourinho and Henrikh Mkhitaryan serves as a notable example of the complexities of player-manager dynamics in professional football. Their initial conflict at Manchester United was characterized by harsh criticisms and a breakdown in communication, ultimately resulting in Mkhitaryan's departure. However, their later success at AS Roma illustrates the potential for reconciliation and growth beyond past grievances.
