Henrikh Mkhitaryan reveals explosive fallout with Jose Mourinho that triggered Arsenal switch

Henrikh Mkhitaryan reveals how his fiery fallout with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United led to his move to Arsenal in 2018.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has finally lifted the lid on his explosive fallout with former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, revealing that their bitter feud directly triggered his January 2018 transfer to Arsenal.

Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United in 2016 after a sensational spell at Borussia Dortmund, where he established himself as one of Europe’s most creative midfielders. But his time at Old Trafford quickly turned turbulent.

In his autobiography My Life Always at the Centre, the Armenian playmaker recalls how constant criticism from Mourinho eroded their relationship.

“I told him, you’ve been criticising me for a year-and-a-half now,” Mkhitaryan wrote, as revealed by Metro. “He told me I was ‘s***’, and I just lost my temper. I said, ‘You are the s***. A big one.’”

The outburst marked the breaking point between player and manager, setting the stage for his eventual departure.

Late-Night Messages and the Alexis Sanchez Swap

The tension between the two reportedly escalated off the pitch. Mkhitaryan revealed that Mourinho began sending him WhatsApp messages urging him to leave Manchester United.

“During training, he said nothing to me,” he explained. “But every evening he’d message me: ‘Miki, leave, please.’ Later, it became: ‘Miki, leave so I can get Alexis Sanchez.’”

Eventually, Mourinho got his wish. The Armenian midfielder was part of a direct swap deal that sent Alexis Sanchez to Manchester United and Mkhitaryan to Arsenal, with the goal of rejuvenating both players’ careers. Ironically, neither found lasting success at their new clubs.

From Enemies to Allies in Rome

In a surprising twist, Mkhitaryan reunited with Mourinho at AS Roma in 2021. Despite their fiery past, the pair rebuilt their working relationship and led Roma to victory in the inaugural UEFA Europa Conference League in 2022.

Their reconciliation showed how time and mutual respect can heal even the most public footballing rifts.

Mkhitaryan’s revelations shed light on the emotional strain that comes with life under elite football management. His honesty exposes the human side of the sport—where personality clashes can shape entire careers.

Through his new autobiography, the former Arsenal midfielder provides fans with a rare look at the intense, often volatile relationships that define football at the highest level.

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