Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed that his stunning volleyed back-heel goal against Sunderland on Boxing Day was the result of pure instinct and improvisation because the ball had not reached him how he had anticipated it.
Mkhitaryan scored United's third in the home victory, stretching a leg behind him to meet Zlatan Ibrahimovic's cross and somehow guiding the ball perfectly into the net beyond a dumbfounded goalkeeper in Jordan Pickford.
"I was expecting the ball in front of me, but I was already in front so I got the ball behind me," the Armenian maestro explained to MUTV after the game.
"The only thing that I could do was hit it with a back-heel. I did and I succeeded," he added.
The supreme strike, albeit coming from an offside position that wasn't spotted by the match officials, is already a contender for Goal of the Season and gives United fans even more reason to be pleased with Mkhitaryan's growing contributions.
Following a dreadfully slow start since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, he's now scored in each of his last three appearances. He also showed no lasting signs of the ankle trouble he suffered against a fortnight ago that caused him to miss two games.
"I'm good. I don't have anything bothering me from the injury so I'm happy to be back on the pitch and I'm happy to help the team win the game," Mkhitaryan said.
"I will try to do my best for the next game as well because it is very important as we are in good shape and have to keep going like this."
United will finish the calendar year and complete the first half of the Premier League season when Middlesbrough visit on Old Trafford on New Year's Eve. Jose Mourinho's team will be looking for a fifth straight win to further close the gap on the top four.
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