He scored one of Man United’s best-ever goals in the Premier League – and then left for £0

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Manchester United have scored so many iconic goals over the years.

As they prepare to face Sunderland at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, they may well be reminded of one of those special strikes in particular.

The contrast between the swashbuckling United sides of old and the current iteration couldn’t be more stark, and the clock is ticking for Ruben Amorim as he looks to save his job.

He could certainly use a moment of magic to steer him through to the international break, something similar to the jaw-dropping acrobatics of one player back in December 2016.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s iconic scorpion kick vs Sunderland

It is an understatement to suggest that Henrikh Mkhitaryan’s big move to Manchester United in 2016 did not go to plan.

In fact, his two-year stint at the club will be best remembered by two snapshots: his goal against Ajax in the Europa League final and his goal against Sunderland in front of the Stretford End.

The Armenian sealed the victory against the Black Cats after diving underneath Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross from the right and cleverly flicking the ball beyond the goalkeeper with his right heel.

The flash of genius was reminiscent of the infamous save by Colombia goalkeeper Rene Higuita against England in 1995, and despite an apparent offside, it was allowed to stand.

“It looked to be phenomenal,” Jose Mourinho said on Mkhitaryan’s goal. “I think he scored in the right goal, the Stretford End where the people are very enthusiastic just behind.

“It was a great moment, and for him very important because he was going up and up and then the injury comes and he was out for two matches, and he is back.”

Henrikh Mkhitaryan joined Arsenal in a swap deal

In one of football’s strangest transfers, Mkhitaryan found himself on the move to Arsenal as part of a swap deal that saw Alexis Sanchez move the other way in January 2018.

United had beaten Arsenal to his signature when he arrived at the club for £26million from Borussia Dortmund, and didn’t claw back a single penny when he departed.

Ultimately, Sanchez endured a nightmare spell at United, scoring just five goals in 45 games.

He also famously asked his agent if he could rip up his contract after just one training session, so concerned was he about the team spirit at the club.

Mkhitaryan, meanwhile, played 58 times for Arsenal and saw his contract terminated by mutual consent in August 2020, allowing him to join Roma permanently.