Why Man Utd flop Mkhitaryan deserves a new contract at Mourinho’s Roma

Emmet Gates

• 29 May 2021 15:48 BST
• 3 min read

Roma midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be staying in the Italian capital, despite the arrival of Jose Mourinho as coach.

The Armenian, who joined Roma from Arsenal two years ago, is out of contract at the end of next month.

READ MORE: Mourinho’s arrival may force Mkhitaryan to leave Roma this summer

His situation wasn’t helped by the sudden announcement that Jose Mourinho would be replacing Paulo Fonseca on the Giallorossi bench.

Mourinho and Mkhitaryan repeatedly clashed during their time together at Manchester United, and the latter left the club on poor terms with the Portuguese coach.

However, it has been reported since the announcement of Mourinho that the two talked on the phone and cleared the air, which could lead to the 32-year-old attacking midfielder renewing his contract at Roma.

This has been supported by Sky Italia, who states that Mourinho now wants to keep him at the club.

Why Mkhitaryan deserves a new contract at Roma

The Armenian was sensational for Roma in 2020/21, producing career-best statistics.

He scored 13 times in Serie A for Roma as he operated just behind Edin Dzeko in Fonseca’s 3-4-2-1 system. This was slightly better than his previous best, when he netted 11 Bundesliga goals in his final season at Borussia Dortmund in 2015/16.

In all competitions, Mkhitaryan scored 15 times and provided 13 assists as Roma made a deep run in the Europa League.

“Mkhitaryan is one of the most intelligent players I have ever trained,” said Fonseca in January. “He knows how to find space like few others.”

Mkhitaryan was a mainstay during Fonseca’s two-year stint in the Italian capital.

He featured in 46 games this season in all competitions and rarely missed a game.

Mkhitaryan’s best efforts were somewhat in vain, as Roma lost in the semi-final of the Europa League to Man Utd and finished seventh in Serie A. They also exited out of the Coppa Italia at an early stage but that should not be allowed to undermine his personal achievements.