Henrikh Mkhitaryan has admitted Manchester United did not top his wishlist of club’s to play for, but insists they were still a step up.
Manchester United may not be Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s dream club but the challenge they offered was enough to convince him to leave Borussia Dortmund for the Premier League.
Mkhitaryan established himself as one of the hottest properties in European football during a three-season spell in the Bundesliga, the midfielder scoring 41 goals and creating 49 in 140 appearances in all competitions.
Naturally Dortmund were desperate to hold on to the Armenia international when United came calling, but the 28-year-old opted could not turn down a switch to Old Trafford.
“United might not have been my dream club, but they have always been among the best clubs in the world for me,” Mkhitaryan told Sport Bild.
“Manchester United are a bigger club than Borussia Dortmund, everyone knows that and we should just accept that. It was a new challenge for me that I could not turn down.”
Some suggested Mkhitaryan’s decision to leave Dortmund was down to financial reasons, but the he has dismissed such claims.
He said that he finds it hard for him to understand criticism that he joined Man United for the money. He revealed that if he played football for the money he would have left Shakhtar Donetsk for Anzhi Makhachkala rather than Borussia Dortmund.
“I find it hard to understand criticism that I joined United for the money. That is simply wrong,” he added.
He insists he only made the move because he just wants to keep improving and developing. His decision to leave Dortmund for Man United was purely because he wanted a new challenge and not a decision against the club.
Next up for Man United is a clash against Watford on Saturday as they look to keep up their top-four hopes.