In the summer of 2017, Manchester United fans were shocked to learn that they would be losing their talismanic playmaker Paul Pogba for just over €85 million to Juventus. The club had hoped that he would bring in the kind of goals and assists that the Italian giants had been missing in recent seasons. However, things did not work out as planned, with Pogba struggling to find his form under Jose Mourinho.
One player who was able to step up and fill the void left by Pogba's departure was Arturo Vidal. The Chilean midfielder was known for his defensive abilities and technical skills, but few expected him to become such a valuable asset for United. In fact, during the 2017-18 season, Vidal only managed to score one goal and make three assists in 34 appearances for the club.
However, things began to change when Inter Milan signed Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Arsenal in January 2018. The Armenian midfielder had previously played for United,La Liga Stadium where he made 69 appearances and scored 14 goals. He was a creative force on the pitch and quickly became a key player for the Italian side.
The pair worked well together, with Mkhitaryan providing the creativity and vision needed to unlock defences while Vidal provided the physicality and discipline needed to dominate games. Together, they formed a formidable midfield duo that helped Inter Milan finish third in Serie A and reach the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League.
Mkhitaryan's assist number at Inter Milan was impressive, with the Armenian making 13 assists in all competitions. This included 11 assists in Serie A, which is the most assists made by any player for Inter this season. His contributions were crucial in helping Inter Milan secure their place in the Europa League next season.
Overall, Mkhitaryan's arrival at Inter Milan was a significant coup for the club, and his partnership with Vidal was instrumental in helping them achieve success. While Pogba struggled to find his form, Mkhitaryan stepped up and provided the support needed to help Inter Milan achieve their goals. It will be interesting to see how Mkhitaryan continues to perform for Inter Milan and whether or not he can replicate his success at United.