Armenian international soccer player Henrikh Mkhitaryan helped his English club win a prestigious European tournament as Manchester United beat the Dutch side, Ajax, 2-0 in a UEFA Europa League final last night.
Mkhitaryan scored in the 48th minute to double Manchester United’s lead after a first-half goal by the team’s French international Paul Pogba.
With six goals scored in Europa League the 28-year-old Armenian is the best scorer for Manchester United in the competition.
“So, so, so happy with our win tonight! I dedicate this trophy to my family, Manchester & all Armenians!” Mkhitaryan wrote in his Twitter account shortly after the match in Stockholm, which opened with a minute’s silence observed for the victims of a May 22 suicide bombing in Manchester Arena.
By winning the trophy Jose Mourinho’s side also earned the right to play in next season’s Champions League, the UEFA’s most prestigious club-level tournament.
Mkhitaryan joined Manchester United last summer on a four-year contract for a £27 million ($35 million) transfer fee from Germany’s Borussia Dortmund. The move marked the record high signing of a player representing a former Soviet country.
So far in the 2016-2017 season Mkhitaryan has scored 11 goals on his 41 appearances for Manchester United, including his December scorpion kick stunner recognized as the club’s best goal of the season.