Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan did not have the freedom to succeed at Manchester United, according to his former team-mate Wayne Rooney.

Mkhitaryan spent 18 months at Manchester United before moving to Arsenal in January in a straight swap with Alexis Sanchez.

The Armenian midfielder never nailed down a consistent starting spot under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford.

He has made a fine start to his Arsenal career, registering three assists in the 5-1 win over Rooney’s Everton on February 3.

Rooney said he believes that the Emirates is the perfect place for him to showcase his impressive skills.

“I think he is (in a place where he can thrive),” Rooney said of Henrikh Mkhitaryan Sky Sports.

“I’ve seen it last season in training a lot, he’s a very talented player.

“I think at Manchester United he didn’t get the freedom he really wanted to go and perform which he had at (Borussia) Dortmund.

“It was a different style of play to what Dortmund played.

“At Arsenal I think he will have players around him running off the ball, taking the ball, and he will create goals and he will score goals.

“So I really do think he will kick on.”