Reports: Manchester United mulling stunning swap deal for Arsenal superstar in January

What's the story

When Jose Mourinho does not like somebody, he really does not like that person. As per various reports, Mourinho fell out Henrikh Mkhitaryan over a disagreement following the manager pointing out some errors during one of his extended one-on-one post-match video analysis sessions and although he's made a comeback to the matchday squad in the last couple of matches, it appears unlikely that the Armenian has much of a future at United under Mourinho.

This is what initially prompted United to seek out a return to Borussia Dortmund for the playmaker - ala Shinji Kagawa - but the player himself is said to want to stay in the Premier League report the good folk over at the Express.

With his preferred destinations being either Arsenal or Tottenham, this has apparently now opened up United's eyes to another potential blockbuster move - convince Arsenal to swap Mesut Ozil for Mkhitaryan in January.

In case you didn't know

Ozil's contract with the Gunners runs out at the end of the season, and it doesn't look like he's up for renewing it anytime soon. While he is, of course, free to join any side of his choosing for erm... free... next summer but United and Mourinho want a playmaker of note right away and this could be the makeweight that tips the deal in their favour.

The heart of the matter

Ozil, of course, played under the brilliant Real Madrid team of Mourinho and was instrumental in the season where Madrid smashed 121 goals in 38 games in the season they went on to become champions of Spain.

As for Mkhitaryan, if he wishes to leave Mourinho would never say no - or so he says: "I think players can go for the right price. That's my approach as a manager, in cases where the club advise me. Every player has a price. If a player is not happy, if a player brings with him the request with the number that we consider a good number for us - like it happened for us last season with Memphis and Morgan - I would never say no."

Video

Henrikh Mkhitaryan has his own unique attributes:

And so does Mesut Ozil:

Would Arsenal take the dribbling ability of the Armenian over the unparalleled vision of the German?

Author's Take

If - and this is a big if - Ozil is determined to leave Arsenal, then it might be best for the Gunners to try and cash in on any possible advantages they may accrue in the winter transfer window rather than let him walk out on a free.

It will still hurt the Londoners, though, to see arguably their favourite player in a United shirt.