Mkhitaryan credits Klopp for shaping his attitude at Dortmund

Manchester United midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is full of praise for his former manager Jurgen Klopp.

While most managers concentrate on helping players on the pitch, Mkhitaryan credited the Liverpool gaffer for shaping his approach when things don’t go to plan during their time together at Borussia Dortmund.

“I am thankful to Klopp. He worked on my personality and the psychological part,” he told BBC’s Football Focus.

(Photo courtesy: Action Images)

He added: “At Dortmund, I was very stressed after a few games when we were playing really bad.

“Klopp showed me the way. He supported me and told me I had to keep my head up because good things were coming. He helped me to become a player.”

The pair spent two seasons together before Klopp departed Dortmund for Liverpool. Mkhitaryan left the following season when he agreed to join Liverpool rivals Manchester United.

Klopp’s advice may have been especially crucial earlier this season when Mkhitaryan seemingly fell out of favour with United manager Jose Mourinho and was forced to spend 10 weeks as a spectator.

Although he missed out on a chance to play during the first meeting between the two famous rivals, Mkhitaryan worked his way back into Mourinho’s good books and played the entirety of January’s 1-1 draw.