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Henrikh Mkhitaryan discusses relationship with Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho
HENRIKH MKHITARYAN has dispelled rumours of a rift between him and Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho.
Mourinho: West Ham game was a chance for Mkhitaryan
Mkhitaryan was signed from Borussia Dortmund for £26million in the summer but a spell of poor performances culminated in him being subbed off at half-time in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in September.
The Armenia international would go on to miss Manchester United's next 11 games with Mourinho reluctant to give a reason as to why before he came off the bench in the 2-1 defeat to Fenerbahce last month.
A strong performance in last week's 4-1 win over West Ham in the EFL Cup, where he set up two goals, helped earn him a return to the starting XI in Sunday's 1-1 draw with Everton.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan earned just his second Premier League start against Everton
Mkhitaryan was subbed at half-time against Manchester City
And the 27-year-old is determined to hold on to his first team place.
"There was no bad relation with him [Mourinho], it was always good but the problem wasn't him, it was me," Mkhitaryan told Sky Sports News HQ.
"Now I understand why I have got my chance and I will keep it, I will hold it, because it is very important for me to play, to be a part of Manchester United.
Mkhitaryan was keen to rubbish rumours of a rift between him and Jose Mourinho
"I was thinking that I would be here as a starting line-up player but when I arrived I saw that there were 25 players fighting for their place and I understood that it wasn't going to be easy.
"I had a bad game against Manchester City but that is in the past so I kept working.
"I have done a great job to get my chance back and I think I did it a really long way until I start playing."
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