Mkhitaryan: United focused on winning Champions League

Henrikh Mkhitaryan says Manchester United are among the contenders to win this season’s Champions League.

United returned to the competition after a season in the Europa League with a 3-0 win over Basel in their opening game in Group A earlier this month, and take on CSKA Moscow in Russia today.

United have not reached the knockout rounds of the Champions League since making it to the quarterfinals under David Moyes in 2014, but Mkhitaryan says they should still be looking at May’s final in Kiev as a realistic target.

“This year we have the Champions League and we are all concentrating on winning it,” he told a news conference in Moscow yesterday. “We are a massive club and we will do everything we can to get to the final.

“If CSKA won against Benfica [this month] that means they deserve it. I watch a lot of their games in the Russian Premier League. They have a lot of experienced players but there’s a big difference from the Champions League and the Russian league so they will be playing differently.”

After initially struggling to get a game following his £30 million move to Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund last year, Mkhitaryan has started the season as a regular in Mourinho’s team.

The Armenia international has started eight of United’s nine games this season, only being rested for the Carabao Cup victory over Burton Albion, and has already racked up five assists and a goal in the Premier League.

He added: “Last season I had lots of injuries and couldn’t feel good in games. This season is good and the connection between me and other players is very good and we understand each other very well and hopefully we can score lots more.

“I have worked very hard and will continue to make sure there is no limit. I have worked hard to get a place and I know that to get picked every game you have to work hard in training so the manager can trust you to play. I have started very well and will do my best to carry on.”

Today’s UCL fixtures

FK Qarabag vs S Roma Anderlecht vs Celtic Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea CSKA Moscow vs Man Utd FC Basel vs Benfica Juventus vs Olympiakos PSG vs Bayern Munich Sporting CP vs Barcelona