Henrikh Mkhitaryan reveals how the tragic death of his dad at the age of seven helped spur him on to greatness

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN has spoken movingly about losing his dad when he was seven and how his memory spurs him on.

The Armenian, 27, has joined Manchester United for £30million from Borussia Dortmund, where he had just been voted the Bundesliga Player of the Season.

His father, Hamlet, was also a footballer, playing in his homeland and the French lower leagues but died of a brain tumour aged just 33.

And an emotional Mkhitaryan said: “He was my drive, he was my motivation.

“I hope he is proud looking at me from the sky. I try to do everything to make him proud.

“When I was young he was playing professionally and I was always dreaming to go with him to the training ground.

“It is very difficult when you grow up without a father, because in the family you don’t have a real man who can give you direction or discipline.

“My mother was my mother and father, so I am thankful to her and I am thankful to all the people who were next to me at the time in a hard moment so the life continues.

“I’m sad because I think he could have helped me with his words and his support but that’s life.

“I’m trying to do everything with my family members, my friends, who are watching me every day.”

A wide midfielder who can also play as a No 10, Mkhitaryan is the first Armenian to play in the Premier League.

He scored 11 Bundesliga goals — and also managed 15 assists — in a stellar season last time around in Germany.

He said: “It was always my dream to play in the Premier League and finally I could fulfil my wish, my dream, and I am very happy to wear this shirt.

“It’s one of the teams I was supporting when I was a child.

“I was always proud of the way they were playing and because Manchester United was a big club, so it’s a dream to play for them.”

Despite the fee and reputation, Mkhitaryan does not believe he is guaranteed a place in United’s starting line-up, with the battle for places set to be a hot one.
He said: “It doesn’t matter if they buy me for, I don’t know, £38m or £40m.

“I am not guaranteed to play the games, so I am trying to do my best during training to earn this place.

“In this club you have to try and do everything to show your best qualities, otherwise you will not be here any more.

“I will try to do my best, I will try to help the team win games, try to keep fit and bring my sharpness to the team.”

Mkhitaryan provided the only bright moment of United’s shambolic Far East tour with the goal in their 4-1 defeat at the hands of former club Dortmund.

United’s game against Manchester City at the Bird’s Nest Stadium was cancelled due to the awful state of the pitch.

And they were just glad to get home after the heat, humidity and poor facilities made this a trip to forget.

Tweet @ncustisTheSun