Jose Mourinho: Henrikh Mkhitaryan is not ready for the Premier League – and that’s why he’s not playing in the Manchester United first-team
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HENRIKH MKHITARYAN is not ready for the physicality of the Premier League, according to Jose Mourinho.
The Armenian has been described as "fit" by the Manchester United boss - but is not ready for the rigours of the English game yet.
Fans were left confused when pictures of Mkhitaryan were shared on social media ahead of United's win over rivals Manchester City in the EFL Cup.
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The 27-year-old has reportedly been recovering from two injuries.
Mourinho told the media at his pre-Burnley press conference: "Sometimes I confuse the meaning of the word 'fit' in the English language.
"'Fit' - sometimes you have the view 'fit' is if you are not injured, and sometimes 'fit' is if you are in great condition and ready to compete.
"That a different thing for me, in Portuguese we use different words for the different situations.
"Mkhitaryan is not injured, Mkhitaryan is training with the team 100 per cent.
"Some players, with their profile they are adapted to come and play, some others they need more time.
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"Time to feel the intensity and the aggression, the game without the ball, the competitiveness.
"Many times players come from different countries. The style of football is different and the reality is different for sure in terms of competitiveness.
"There’s no other country where it doesn’t matter the team you play against, you have to play at the highest level. If you don’t you have no chance. Mikhi needs time to become the top player he can be."
Mourinho also pointed to his former Chelsea star Willian, who took time to bed down in England, as inspiration for the United man.
And he also cited Angel di Maria as a player who struggled to adapt when he moved from Benfica to Real Madrid.
'Fit' - sometimes you have the view 'fit' is if you are not injured, and sometimes 'fit' is if you are in great condition and ready to compete.
Jose Mourinho on Henrikh Mkhitaryan
He said: “Willian, he arrived at Chelsea and had problems to play. He went through a process then after he became a top player, then the next season he became absolutely phenomenal and still is.
“When Angel Di Maria arrived at Real Madrid he also had to learn a lot about his game and a new reality.
“Sometimes it happens – sometimes with defenders but it’s easier for them. For attacking players sometimes they arrive and go straight to success. Other times it takes a little more time.
“In Mikhi’s case the process was interrupted by an injury that kept him out for about a month.
“To be out for a month in this process and then be fit but not fit to play you have to go through a process of getting match fitness then you need competitive level to do it.
“Of course we believe in him and of course we believe that sooner or later there will be no problem.”
Mkhitaryan hinted in pre-season that he would not play every week for Manchester United.
But pictures of him trudging towards the dressing room despite not being named in the United team for their clash with City sparked a protest on Twitter.
