Quotes from Henrikh Mkhitaryan

The year after my father died, I started football training. He was the drive for me; he was my idol. I said to myself, 'I have to run just like him. I have to shoot just like him.'

Not so many Armenian players are given the chance to play in the Champions League, and this is really important for me, because I want to do everything to impress the children who are watching me playing.

I am very proud to join Manchester United. This move is a dream come true for me.

I believe playing for such a great club like United honours my father's memory, and the inspiration and drive he gave to me when I was young. I hope he is proud looking at me from the sky.

For Manchest United, every cup is very important. A trophy is a trophy.

If you play football, you have to try to do the maximum, so I'm always doing the maximum for myself because, after my football career, I want to sit down and think I did something good.

I think the most important thing is to play to help the team, winning the games - that is the main thing for me.

Every person has to keep in mind that they can grow up and reach the top, no matter where they are born, whether it's in Russia, in Ukraine, in Europe; they've still got the opportunity to show their talent and the culture of their people.

My time with my father would be very meaningful, but also very short.

When we're leading during the game, we have to squeeze the opponent.

I want to do everything to get to a new level.

I am very excited - it's a big opportunity for me to play for Manchester United, a new challenge for me. I will try to do my best.

It would be fair to say that the start of my life in Manchester was not perfect, but there have been many other times when I've had setbacks, and I have never given up.

I never give up when I encounter obstacles in my way. I just continue going until I reach my career objectives.

When I was six years old, my parents told me that we were moving back home to Armenia. I didn't really understand what was happening. My father had stopped playing football, and he was at home all the time.

When I came first to Dortmund, Jurgen Klopp said, 'Listen, Mkhitaryan, it's your family name - it's too long. So Henrikh, it's too long. Let's call you Micki. Are you okay?' I said, 'Okay, no problem.' And since that day, they started calling me Micki.

I like to win the difficulties, because when you win the difficulties, it makes you stronger, so I'm trying to do everything to come up to a new level.

You can lose to any team and then beat your top opponents and still not be in the top four.

English football is really different to football in other countries.

Everything comes from your mind. You have to push yourself to get things going in your direction. If you are stubborn, nothing will help. If you are sad, nothing will help. You have to keep positive and to work very well for your next chance.

I dreamed of being like Kaka, and Brazil was the home of that creative style, which the Brazilians call ginga.

When your dreams are close to coming true, it does not feel real at first.

It's not easy when you have a new manager because you have to try and adapt yourself to him, the team, training sessions, and the game.

I really enjoy my life in Manchester, my training, my games, everything.