Mkhitaryan’s big impact

Henrikh Mkhitaryan scored his first goal for Manchester United as Jose Mourinho’s side booked their place in the Europa League last 32 with a comfortable 2-0 win over Zorya Luhansk.

The Armenia international opened the scoring with a fine individual effort early in the second half, before Zlatan Ibrahimovic made the result safe when he coolly dispatched his seventh goal in the last six games from Paul Pogba’s pass.

From Mkhitaryan’s impact to Mourinho’s Europa League approach, we round up three of the top talking points from the game…

Mkhitaryan’s magic

It was fitting for Mkhitaryan to open his Manchester United account in Ukraine. The playmaker spent three seasons with Shakhtar Donetsk earlier in his career, and he still holds the national record for league goals in a season with his tally of 24 in 2012/13.

It’s a reminder of just how dangerous he can be, and after a slow start in the Premier League, United will be hoping his first goal in a red shirt is a sign of what’s to come. It was brilliantly taken. Mkhitaryan created the opening with a clever nutmeg on Rafael Forster, and his side-footed finish gave Zorya’s advancing goalkeeper no chance.

His lively all-round performance was in keeping with his recent form. Mkhitaryan claimed two assists in United’s EFL Cup thrashing of West Ham last week, and he impressed again on only his second Premier League start against Everton on Sunday. Indeed, it was only after his withdrawal at Goodison Park that United conceded the equaliser.

A third consecutive start suggests he has finally won over his manager, and his impressive impact makes you wonder why exactly it took so long.

Mkhitaryan was a constant menace at the Chornomorets Stadium. He popped up on both flanks and in central areas, and his influence was …

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