Mkhitaryan makes shocking admission Man Utd is not his ‘dream’ club

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has admitted Manchester United is not his ‘dream club’, but he insisted Old Trafford is still a step up from Borussia Dortmund.

United may not be 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 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 he has dismissed such claims.

“I find it hard to understand criticism that I joined United for the money. That is simply wrong,” he added.

“Had it all been about money for me, I would have left for Shakhtar Donetsk for Anzhi Makhachkala rather than Borussia Dortmund.

“But that was not what I wanted. I wanted to keep on developing.

“My decision to leave Dortmund was not a decision against the club. It was just time for a new challenge.”

Mkhitaryan initially struggled to hit top form at United, and found himself out of Jose Mourinho’s side.

“When I watched the Premier League on the television, I did not expect it to be that hard,” Mkhitaryan said.

“The opponents are all physically strong, real athletes. It was not like that in Germany. You must be prepared for it. But I prepared myself for it.”

Mkhitaryan starred in United’s most recent win when he scored and set up another in the 3-0 win over Leicester City.

United remain in sixth after the victory, but are now just a point behind Liverpool in fifth and are unbeaten in 15 games.