Henrikh Mkhitaryan has revealed the player he most wanted to be like during his fledgling years as a footballer.

The Manchester United attacking midfielder travelled to Brazil to train with Sao Paulo when he was just 13 and admits that he was greatly influenced by a certain former Real Madrid and AC Milan, and current Orlando City star, during his days in the sprawling city.

"That was one of the most interesting times of my life, because I was a very shy kid from Armenia who didn't speak any Portuguese," he told The Players' Tribune.

"But I didn't care at all because, to me, I was getting to go to football paradise.

"I dreamed of being like Kaká, and Brazil was the home of that creative style, which the Brazilians call ginga. That time was very important to me, because it shaped my style as a player.

“When I returned to Armenia after four months in Brazil, I was still quite skinny and weak, but I had technique and skill. I was feeling very free on the pitch. I was feeling like the Armenian Ronaldinho. (Ha ha ha ha. No, I'm joking)."