Mkhitaryan's efforts at Man Utd recognised by top honour in Armenia

Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped Manchester United to three trophies in 2016-17 and has now been awarded a First-Class Medal of Services to the Motherland by Armenia.

The attacking midfielder endured a testing start to life at Old Trafford following a £26 million move from Borussia Dortmund.

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He was hauled off at half-time on his first Premier League start against Manchester United in September and was barely seen again until late November.

Mkhitaryan’s class was, however, to shine through and he quickly became a key performer as the Red Devils added EFL Cup and Europa League crowns to a Community Shield success.

His efforts have now been recognised in his homeland with an honour usually reserved for members of the armed services.

Mkhitaryan received the medal from the president of Armenia, Serzh Sargsyan, at a ceremony on Sunday.

He is likely to be recognised by those back home once again later in the year, as he looks to pick up a seventh Armenian Player of the Year award.

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For now, though, he is in a position to reflect on a productive 2016-17 campaign which has seen him emerge as a key man for Jose Mourinho.

He ended the season in the best possible style, with his acrobatic goal in the Europa League final against Ajax earning United a 2-0 win, more major silverware and a place in next season’s Champions League.