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Henrikh Mkhitaryan to Manchester United: Borussia Dortmund aim 'dig' at 'fifth-place' Premier League club

Social media users believe the club's statement included a sly jibe at United's league finish

Saturday 02 July 2016 13:19 BST

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Borussia Dortmund’s announcement of Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s move to Manchester United includes a dig at the Premier League club, according to users on social media.

The Bundesliga outfit declared that Mkhitaryan, a 27-year-old goal-scoring creative midfielder, would be swapping Signal Iduna Park for Old Trafford via Twitter on Saturday afternoon.

A club statement followed shortly after and many could not help but notice the sly reference to United’s poor 2015/16 league position.

“After intensive discussions, BVB has complied to the wish of the Armenian national team member; to join the fifth-place English team last season, Manchester United, for the new season.

“Borussia Dortmund wishes Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best for the coming season in both the Premier League and in the Uefa Europa League,” the statement adds.

Dortmund, by contrast, finished Bundesliga runners-up and will return to the Champions League next term following a season-long absence.

Ilkay Gundogan’s transfer to Manchester City last month was announced with a similarly-worded statement, which made reference to City’s fourth-place 2015/16 league finish.

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Show all 9

1/9Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Juan Mata

The Spaniard perhaps has most to worry about from Mourinho’s appointment, having been sold to United by the Portuguese in 2014, but while Mata lacks the pace and physical strength to become a key man under Mourinho, his knack of scoring goals in big games may yet play in his favour.
Survival rating: 6/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Marcos Rojo

The Argentine defender has endured an injury-hit time at Old Trafford since arriving from Sporting Lisbon two years ago. While Rojo possesses the physical attributes of a typical Mourinho defender, his poor concentration ensures his days will be numbered.
Survival rating: 3/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Ander Herrera

The £28.8m midfielder is under threat with Mourinho because he lacks a defined role and has struggled to make an impact during two seasons at United. Does not do enough to influence games and could be offloaded this summer.
Survival rating: 4/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Daley Blind

The Dutch defender became a key man under Louis van Gaal, impressing at centre-half last season having also played in midfield and at full-back. Blind may lose his centre-back position under Mourinho, but his versatility will earn him a stay of execution.
Survival rating: 8/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Phil Jones

Once regarded as a future England centre-half, but Jones has endured an injury nightmare at Old Trafford. But Mourinho likes to build his teams around a core of domestic players and Jones may yet be given the chance to prove himself for that reason.
Survival rating: 6/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Bastian Schweinsteiger

The Germany captain was a major disappointment last season having arrived to great fanfare from Bayern Munich. A Van Gaal loyalist, Schweinsteiger may find life too demanding under Mourinho and he appears an obvious candidate to be moved on.
Survival rating: 2/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Marouane Fellaini

Fellaini divides opinion at Old Trafford, with many regarding the Belgian as typifying the worst of Van Gaal’s reign, but he is effective and Mourinho is likely to regarded the former Everton midfielder as a useful Plan B, particularly with his physical presence.
Survival rating: 7/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Memphis Depay

Mourinho turned Arjen Robben into a star during his first spell at Chelsea and Depay arrived at United with a reputation as Holland’s successor to the Bayern Munich winger. He had a disastrous first season, though, and needs to improve his attitude to survive under Mourinho.
Survival rating: 5/10

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Jose Mourinho's Manchester United hit list

Adnan Januzaj

Januzaj became a forgotten man under Van Gaal, but United still believe the Belgian can become a world-class talent. He will be forced to accept Mourinho’s tough approach, but it worked for Joe Cole at Chelsea and Januzaj could yet salvage his United career under the Special One.
Survival rating: 6/10

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Dortmund have repeatedly lost some of their best players to elite clubs over the last few seasons.

Earlier this summer, Mats Hummels finally made his long-anticipated return to Bayern Munich, while the likes of Robert Lewandowski and Mario Gotze have also left the club.

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