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Manchester United and Arsenal have had a few players who have played for both clubs in recent years, with some making the direct transfer between the two clubs. One of those was Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
The midfielder arrived at Old Trafford from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, but struggled to nail down a regular starting place in the team. He was moved on in January 2018, as part of a swap deal between United and Arsenal that saw Alexis Sanchez move the other way.
Mkhitaryan’s time at United came under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. The player has not been afraid to speak out over his thoughts on the playing style that the Portuguese coach implemented at Old Trafford.
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Speaking in April 2018, the midfielder opened up on his decision to move from United to Arsenal. “When I heard I could swap Man United for Arsenal, I said, ‘Yes, I want to do that,'” Mkhitaryan told FourFourTwo. “I didn’t think twice. It’s important for me to play in an offensive team.
“I couldn’t have imagined a better start. I’d missed playing offensively. I joined Arsenal because [Arsene] Wenger wanted me, not because he wanted to replace Sanchez. We are different players and characters, with different abilities and skills, so I’ll try my best to do everything for the club.”
Speaking a few months later, Mkhitaryan continued to outline the difference he found between the two clubs. “Everything about Arsenal is totally different to United,” he told reporters during the summer of 2018.
“As soon as I came to Arsenal I felt the warmth. It’s like a family where everyone’s taking care of you.
“The philosophy, the playing style, the club – nothing is comparable. It’s like a new page in the book of my life. Arsenal always played offensive football but under Jose the team at United was playing differently.
“I’m not criticising him or blaming him. It was just a different philosophy.
“But I am enjoying myself more at Arsenal.”
Mkhitaryan stayed at Arsenal until the summer of 2019, when he joined Roma on loan, he eventually made that transfer permanent the following summer. The 35-year-old is currently playing for Inter, having joined the club on a free transfe rin 2022.