Share

Mkhitaryan notes Kagawa's United struggles

Cape Town - New Manchester United attacker Henrikh Mkhitaryan says former team-mate Shinji Kagawa's spell at Old Trafford will serve as a warning about high expectations at the club.

Mkhitaryan will become the first Armenian to grace the English Premier League this season after he completed a £26.3m summer move to the Red Devils from Borussia Dortmund, but he's been first to admit his hefty transfer fee gives him no guarantee of first-team football or success.

"Of course (Kagawa's difficulties are a sign of the demands at United)," he told reporters during their pre-season tour in Beijing. 

"In this club, you have to try and do everything to show your best qualities, otherwise you will not be here anymore.

"So I will try to do my best, I will try to help the team win the games, try to keep fit and bring my sharpness to the team.

"But it doesn't matter if they buy me for, I don't know, 38m or 40m euros, I am not guaranteed to play the games, so I am trying to do my best during the training to earn this place to play and then we will see," the 27-year-old added.

"I don't think I will play every game, depending on the tactical situation, depending on the opponent, but I will do everything to try and help the team."

Mkhitaryan scored 41 goals and registered 49 assists in 140 games during his three seasons with Dortmund.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
How much would you be prepared to pay for a ticket to watch the Springboks play against the All Blacks at Ellis Park or Cape Town Stadium this year?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
R0 - R200
33% - 1814 votes
R200 - R500
32% - 1774 votes
R500 - R800
19% - 1082 votes
R800 - R1500
8% - 459 votes
R1500 - R2500
3% - 186 votes
I'd pay anything! It's the Boks v All Blacks!
5% - 252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE