Henrikh Mhitaryan was billed as one of the best signings of the summer when he arrived at Manchester United from Borussia Dortmund in July. But after just three months and only a single competitive start to his name, the rumour mill is linking the Armenian with an early exit.
Mkhitaryan lasted just 45 minutes when he started the Manchester derby in September. A thigh injury was part of the reason for that, although he also performed poorly anyway, but he's been conspicuously absent from matchday squads even several weeks after resuming training.
A report from the Sun has now claimed that the writing is already on the wall. It is suggested that manager Jose Mourinho is not 'convinced' by what he has seen from the 27-year-old.
Mkhitaryan, bought for around £26m and the second of three Mino Raiola clients to make his way to Old Trafford over the course of the summer, has only managed 107 minutes of Premier League action in a United shirt, as well as a cameo appearance in the Community Shield.
He scored 23 goals in all competitions for Dortmund last season and hasn't really shown any of the ability that made him such hot property when it became clear he was ready for a new challenge.
A report from the Independent this week has suggested that United were interested in Mkhitaryan when Louis van Gaal was manager, but concerns about how his fitness would stand up to the physical demands of Premier League football is what put off the Old Trafford coaching staff.
Comparisons have already been made with Shinji Kagawa after his short-lived spell at the club. The Japanese maestro arrived in 2012 as one of the hottest creative midfielders in Europe but returned to Dortmund just two years later after limited output and a never ending struggle for fitness.
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