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Tottenham should purchase unhappy Manchester United star

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Manchester United (R) takes the ball past Aleksander Kolorov of Manchester City (L) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 10, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - SEPTEMBER 10: Henrikh Mkhitaryan of Manchester United (R) takes the ball past Aleksander Kolorov of Manchester City (L) during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Manchester City at Old Trafford on September 10, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images) /
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan could thrive at Tottenham

Manchester United apparently don’t have any use for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, but Tottenham could certainly use him. Spurs would be wise to make a concerted effort to sign the disgruntled United star during the January transfer window.

Reports from England claim that Mkhitaryan has been left “confused” by his lack of involvement at Old Trafford as of late. The Armenian international didn’t even make the squad for United in their last match against Fenerbahce. His omission was particularly shocking since everyone at United freely admits he’s been a full participant in training as of late.

Mkhitaryan’s uncertain status at the club could make him available for purchase in January. Jose Mourinho has a mandate to win now, and he won’t keep the attacker around for sentimental reasons. Selling him after just a few months at the club may seem harsh, but it’s certainly not beyond Mourinho’s ethics.

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If Mkhitaryan does become available, Tottenham should rush to bring him to White Hart Lane. In many ways, he would be the perfect addition for what Mauricio Pochettino’s side lacks at the moment. The Argentine boss has lamented his club’s lack of clinical finishing this season. That’s a skill Mkhitaryan could certainly bring to Spurs.

After all, it isn’t as if Mkhitaryan has forgotten how to play football since he left Borussia Dortmund last summer. There’s a reason he was such an expensive purchase for United. His ability to both create and score goals against elite competition was very apparently from his play for the Bundesliga club.

It’s natural to be concerned why his game hasn’t seemed to show up yet in England. The most obvious answer is that it’s just taking Mkhitaryan a bit of time to adjust to life in the Premier League. Spurs fans certainly know how long it can take for a new player to adjust to life in England. Erik Lamela and Son Heung-Min are both recent examples of big-name attackers who’ve needed well over a season to hit their stride.

By moving for Mkhitaryan now, Tottenham could be pouncing at just the right time. Mkhitaryan has already begun his adjustment to life in England, and Spurs would be avoiding the worst stretch of his adjustment. It’s highly likely that the Armenian’s game would come around sooner, rather than later.

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Manchester United could also be willing to take a loss on the talented attacker. They aren’t going to give him away to a Premier League rival, but Mourinho might be anxious to get him off the books. He hasn’t exactly been given a blank check by the higher-ups at Old Trafford as of yet. The Special One might need the proceeds from a few sales to fund the other acquisitions he wants to make in January.

Some Tottenham fans might question how Mkhitaryan would fit into the squad, but to me the fit is fairly obvious. The club clearly need to strengthen their attacking midfield options. Mkhitaryan could serve as a number ten or out wide for Pochettino.

Manchester United would be smart to hold on to Henrikh Mkhitaryan this January, but Jose Mourinho doesn’t always make the best choices. If they do let the Armenian go, Spurs shouldn’t hesitate to snap him up.

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