Why Is Mkhitaryan So Magical In Europe?

When CSKA Moscow manager Viktor Goncharenko sat down to assess the Manchester United squad, the Belarusian boss could have highlighted any number of players to worry about.

Jose Mourinho has assembled a powerful, star-studded squad that poses a threat from many areas of the pitch. The most obvious dangerman is Romelu Lukaku, following his sensational start to the season in a red shirt, after scoring eight goals in as many games across all competitions.

Goncharenko might also have studied the startlingly good form of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, following their lightning-fast performances in the early stages of the campaign. Their speed could also cause problems for an ageing CSKA three-man defence that has a combined age of 108.

However, it is highly probable that CSKA's manager has instructed his players to pay closer attention to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, our midfield Armenian who has become an expert in Europe, particularly in tricky away matches when he has regularly contributed to defining moments on several occasions.

Throughout last season's successful UEFA Europa League campaign, Micki scored in four troublesome away ties at Zorya Luhansk in Ukraine, Saint-Etienne in France, FC Rostov in Russia and Anderlecht in Belgium. Famously, the former Borussia Dortmund man also netted the final goal of the memorable 2-0 win over AFC Ajax in the competition's showpiece final in Stockholm, Sweden.

Mkhitaryan was later nominated for the Europa League Player of the Year trophy and was perhaps unlucky to lose out to team-mate Paul Pogba, whose opening goal at the Friends Arena could have swayed the vote. But, make no mistake, Mkhitaryan is absolutely lethal in European competition.

WHY IS MICKI SO MAGICAL IN EUROPE?

Henrikh spoke at a press conference on Tuesday and gave a positive response when asked why he has been so effective in European competition for United. "Of course the Champions League is not the same tournament, the Europa League is a bit different," Micki said.

"I did very well last season, I'm very happy for that, I'm very glad, but this season it's a bit different because we're playing in the Champions League and the tournament is more difficult. But it's not the first time I'm going to play in Champions League, I know how to deal with it, and I'm going to try to do my best to perform well as well."

JOSE COY ON MICKI'S INVOLVEMENT

In his own press conference, the boss refused to confirm whether Mkhitaryan would start against CSKA - stating he had merely selected the player for media duty because he is fluent in Russian.

"Let me make it clear that normally we bring players here that are starting the match the next day," the boss said. "Mkhitaryan is coming because he speaks Russian. I try to make life easier for you, especially the Russian media. I'm not saying Mkhitaryan starts the match tomorrow. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't, but the reason he comes is that I want to make life easier for you."

Mourinho added: "He played well last season in the Europa League. But last season was last season. This season is another season and we need him to perform well again. Champions League is a different level and the quality is higher, difficulties are higher. Matches away from home are even more difficult and of course we need the best of our players."