One imagines Jose Mourinho’s inbox is filled with questions from Manchester United fans asking whereabouts Henrikh Mkhitaryan is.
Of course, that’s not entirely true. There’s a serious problem if United fans know Mourinho’s email address.
But it is a question that is on everybody’s lips. Forget Where’s Wally?, Where’s Mkhitaryan?
It’s 48 days since the last time he was seen on a football field. Mourinho confirmed in his press conference today that the £26 million summer is “100 per cent”.
So if he isn’t injured, what’s the problem? He’s struggling to adapt to England, according to the Portuguese.
“Sometimes I confuse the meaning fit in the English language,sometimes fit means that you aren’t injured,” Mourinho said, per the Mirror.
“Mkhitaryan is not injured, he is training with the team 100 per cent. Some players have the profile of adapting easily but some other players need more time to feel the intensity.
“Some players need time to feel the competitiveness and the level of work without the ball.
“Mkhi needs time to become the top player we know he can be.”
The confusion surrounding Mkhitaryan’s situation was enhanced on Wednesday when he was seen arriving at Old Trafford for United’s EFL Cup contest against Manchester City, only to be left out of the squad.
Surely, if he’s struggling to adapt to English football, the worst thing Mourinho can do is continue to keep him hidden?
The 27-year-old was voted the Bundesliga’s Player of the Season in 2015-16. It’s not surprising United were drawn to his 23 goals and 20 assists for Borussia Dortmund.
However, the Red Devils weren’t the only Premier League interested in the playmaker’s services.
According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal agreed on a deal to sign Mkhitaryan in the summer but was beaten when United made a £7m improvement on the Gunners’ offer.
Mourinho was helped by Mkhitaryan’s preference towards United over Arsenal.
The midfielder thought he would receive more game time at Old Trafford than he would at the Emirates.
One Premier League start and 107 minutes of football later, and Mkhitaryan couldn’t have been more wrong.