Henrikh Mkhitaryan thankful to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp for helping him through tough spell

Manchester United's Henrikh Mkhitaryan has says he owes a lot to Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp.

The Armenian playmaker had a disappointing start to his Old Trafford career, waiting for a chance under new boss Jose Mourinho.

But he told BBC's Football Focus that Klopp offered him some advice during a similar spell while his manager at Dortmund that has stuck with him ever since.

"I am thankful to Klopp. He worked on my personality and the psychological part," he said.

"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."

Mkhitaryan played under Klopp for two seasons in the Bundesliga before the coach left for Liverpool in 2015, with the Armenian following him to the Premier League eight months later.

However he had to wait until late November for a proper chance under Mourinho , a chance he has taken with both hands after five goals in 11 games.

"They are both very friendly and very good at their jobs but the way they work is different," Mkhitaryan added of Klopp and Mourinho.

"It is the first year under Jose's management and we are working very hard. He tells us what he wants to see. Of course, it is not very easy when you have a new manager.

"You have to adapt to him and the team, the training sessions and the games. At the beginning we had a little bit of difficulties but then we started winning in November."