Mkhitaryan pledges to make the grade under Mourinho at Manchester United

Henrikh Mkhitaryan says talk of a swift return to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester United is wide of the mark.

And the Armenia star reckons he is determined to make the grade at Old Trafford despite struggling to break into Jose Mourinho’s first team after aggravating a thigh injury in the defeat to Manchester City in September.

Mkhitaryan got 90 minutes under his belt in his Armenia’s dramatic 3-2 World Cup qualifying win against Montenegro in the international break.

And he is not lacking in confidence as he rejoins United ahead of their Premier League showdown with Arsenal on Saturday at Old Trafford.

He said: “I know I can succeed at United, and I want to show everyone that I deserve to be a key player in this team and this league”.

“I don’t have enough playing time, so I have to do my best so the coaching staff give me the chance to play”.

“There are no disappointments, just challenges. I never give up when I encounter obstacles in my way. I just continue going until I reach my career objectives”.

Red Devils manager Mourinho insists the £27 million summer purchase still needs time to get to grips with the game in England.

But Mkhitaryan said: “Regarding Jose Mourinho, I hope I can learn a lot from him — he is a coach with a fantastic record”.

“I saw the move to Manchester United as an opportunity to grow as a player and as a person”.

“It was definitely not the salary that made me join Manchester United, I went for football reasons – for the history of the club, the fans and the coach because he is one of the best in the world”.

“The EPL is the best league in the world and it gives me something different, a new challenge. I think I can become stronger by playing there”.