My dad will be so proud I’m at United
HENRIKH Mkhitaryan says the memory of his late father has inspired him to become the first Armenian to play in the Premier League.
The Manchester United new boy was only seven when his father Hamlet, a professional footballer who played in Armenia and France, died of a brain tumour at the age of 33.
Brought up by his mother, Mkhitaryan dedicated his life to football, securing moves first to Shakhtar Donetsk then Borussia Dortmund before his £26million transfer to Old Trafford this summer. “My dad was my drive, he was my motivation, and it was always my dream to continue his work by becoming a football player. I used to go and watch him train,” he said. “He was 33 years old, I was seven at the time he died.
“It is very difficult when you grow up without a father because you don’t have a man who can give you direction and discipline. In my case my mother had to be my mother and father so I am thankful to her.
“It is sad because he could have helped me with his words and support.
“I believe playing for such a great club like United honours my father’s memory, and the inspiration and drive he gave to me when I was young. I hope he’s proud looking at me from the sky.”
Mkhitaryan’s mother, Marina, who works for the Armenian Football Federation and his sister Monica, who works for UEFA, have continued the family’s links with football and he is grateful for their support.
He is excited by the prospect of playing alongside Zlatan Ibrahimovic, set for his first United outing in his native Sweden this Saturday when United take on Galatasaray in Gothenburg. Asked if the experienced striker will make his life easier, Mkhitaryan replied: “Not only my life but the team’s life. He’s an amazing player, the name says everything.
“It’ll be easy to play with him because he is a high-quality player, knows how to keep the ball, how to play with it and how to create space for the others so I’m looking forward to working with him.”
And Mkhitaryan wants to help Ibrahimovic win an unprecedented fifth different league title after his triumphs in Holland, Italy, Spain and France.
“You know if you play football you have to try to do the maximum, so I’m always doing the maximum for myself because, when I retire from football, I want to sit down and think I did something good – I won this title and I won this title,” he said.
“People will talk about what you have won and that is the most important thing in football.” TOP ZLAT: Mkhitaryan says Swede is a star