Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan came up with a Christmas cracker all of his own on Boxing Day when he netted an outrageous backheel volley during the Red Devils’ 3-1 win over Sunderland.
The Armenian international sent the Old Trafford faithful wild in the 86th minute, diving to connect with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s cross and send the ball past a bewildered Jordan Pickford and into the net to put United 3-0 up.
Fabio Borini netted a late consolation for the Wearsiders, but nothing could take away from what has to be a ‘goal of the season’ contender.
Mkhitaryan, who struggled to make an impact in the first few months of his United career, even earned praise from manager Jose Mourinho, who said “It was beautiful – it’s a pity that it was the third goal and not the winning goal in a great match because that would be in Manchester United history.”
It was quite simply stunning.
If you didn't have plans to watch Match of the Day tonight, you should, just to watch Mkhitaryan's goal.
— Rob Dawson (@RobDawsonMEN) December 26, 2016
Mkhitaryan’s wonder strike also set the online community chattering, with many saying the goal of the season competition should just end now.
Mkhitaryan with an amazing Scorpion Kick goal! Goal of the season? ? pic.twitter.com/zKlridRt3V
— Futbol Agent (@Futbol_Agent_) December 26, 2016
Mkhitaryan's goal is the goal of the season, don't even care that it's only December. nothing will beat it. #motd
— Muminah Alfonso (@muminuh) December 26, 2016
Critics, however, couldn’t help but notice that he may have been slightly offside.
You may enjoy Mkhitaryan's goal if you watch @BBCMOTD tonight. It's so good they let him off being slightly offside.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 26, 2016
If ever there was time for a linesman to mistakenly keep his flag his down it was for that Mkhitaryan finish. Genuinely incredible. #MUNSUN
— Duncan Castles (@DuncanCastles) December 26, 2016
OK, Mkhitaryan was quite obviously offside. But that absurd finish was so, so special…
— Gabriele Marcotti (@Marcotti) December 26, 2016
Others didn’t really care.
Offside should be nullified with scorpion kicks anyway… #Mkhitaryan
— Chris Dixon (@chrismd10) December 26, 2016
While as per usual, some fans just took it a little too far!
after seeing that mkhitaryan goalasso I have decided to ask my girlfriend to marry me
— Man Utd Facebook (@MUFC_Facebook) December 26, 2016
But now did he learn such technique? The answer is obvious!
The secret behind Henrikh Mkhitaryan's scorpian kick goal
(Via: @ZEZO_CARTOONS ) pic.twitter.com/t360pwpeUN— Troll Football (@TrollFootball) December 26, 2016