OWEN HARGREAVES: THIS MANCHESTER UNITED FRINGE PLAYER IS ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT

Owen Hargreaves praised Henrikh Mkhitaryan as
an “absolutely brilliant” player during Manchester
United’s 2-0 Europa League over Zorya on
Thursday evening.
The Armenia international lit up a low key clash
against the Ukrainian side with a wonderful solo
goal to open his United account.
Zlatan Ibrahiovic added a second in the closing
minutes to secure the win and seal the Premier
League club’s place in the last 32 of the Europa
League.
But the match will be remembered for the moment
of magic from Mkhitaryan that built upon his recent
impressive displays for United.
The fixture was 47 minutes old when the Armenia
international picked up the ball close to the halfway
line and ran at the Zorya backline before coolly
slotting in his first United goal.
BT Sports pundit and ex-United midfielder was
effusive in his praise of Mkhitaryan, who was given
a standing ovation by the travelling band of visiting
fans when he was substituted after 83 minutes.
“He’s majestic, an absolutely brilliant player, ” said
Hargreaves of the 27-year-old attacking midfield
while commenting on the match for BT Sport 3.
It comes after Mkhitaryan has been on the fringes
of the United team since signing for the club from
Borussia Dortmund for £27million in the summer.
He was making only his fifth start for the club, and
just his 11th appearance, since joining from the
Bundesliga outfit.