Louis van Gaal blocked a move for Henrikh Mkhitaryan by Manchester United last season.

The Independent says United were put off signing Mkhitaryan under Van Gaal due to concerns over his adaptability to the Premier League.

Van Gaal and his coaching staff had reservations about the former Borussia Dortmund playmaker's suitability, fearing a repeat of Shinji Kagawa's difficulties at Old Trafford.

Mkhitaryan has struggled to adapt since moving in the summer, and was left out of the recent squads that faced Fenerbahce and Chelsea.