In a stunning football confession that will fascinate Premier League fans, former Manchester United and Arsenal midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed why he chose to work with Jose Mourinho over managerial rivals Jurgen Klopp and Arsene Wenger.
The Armenian international, who enjoyed spells at three of England's biggest clubs, made the career-defining decision in 2016 when he joined Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund, turning down approaches from both Liverpool and Arsenal at the time.
The Three-Way Battle for Mkhitaryan's Signature
Mkhitaryan disclosed that he found himself at the centre of an extraordinary three-way tug-of-war between English football's managerial heavyweights. "I could have gone to Liverpool or Arsenal," the 35-year-old revealed, "but I chose Manchester United because of Mourinho."
What makes this revelation particularly intriguing is the timing - both Klopp and Wenger would later become his managers anyway during his Premier League journey, giving him unique insight into all three legendary coaches.
Why Mourinho Won the Battle
The Portuguese manager's personal approach proved decisive in the transfer saga. Mkhitaryan explained that Mourinho's direct communication and clear vision for how he would utilise the attacking midfielder convinced him that Old Trafford was his destined destination.
"Mourinho called me and said he wanted me to become part of his project," Mkhitaryan recalled. "He showed me how I would fit into his system and that personal touch made all the difference."
The Full Circle Premier League Journey
Mkhitaryan's eventual work with all three managers provides football enthusiasts with a rare comparative analysis opportunity:
- Jose Mourinho: His initial choice at Manchester United
- Arsene Wenger: Later played under at Arsenal
- Jurgen Klopp: Nearly joined at Liverpool, previously worked with at Dortmund
The Armenian's unique perspective offers fascinating insights into the different management styles that have defined Premier League football over the past decade.
Now playing for Inter Milan, Mkhitaryan's reflections shed new light on one of the most intriguing transfer decisions of recent years, revealing how a single phone call from the Special One changed the course of his career and Premier League history.
