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M(a)kh-ing history

Henrikh Mkhitaryan becomes first Armenian and 112th nationality to play in the Premier League

The former Borussia Dortmund star came on as a 75th minute substitute in Manchester United's 3-1 win at Bournemouth

HENRIKH MKHITARYAN has made Premier League history by becoming the first Armenian to play in the division, taking and the number of nationalities represented to 112.

The Manchester United star came off the bench in the Red Devils' 3-1 win at Bournemouth on Sunday.

 Henrikh Mkhitaryan made Premier League history on Sunday
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan made Premier League history on SundayCredit: Getty Images

Mkhitaryan booked his place in the history books by replacing Juan Mata in the 75th minute during the comfortable victory.

Mata hit United's first goal of the game and strikes from Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who was making his Premier League debut, sealed the win for United before a consolation from Adam Smith.

Mkhitaryan made a £26million move to United from Borussia Dortmund this summer to become one of new manager Jose Mourinho's first signings.

 Mkhitaryan has become the first Armenian to play in the Premier League
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Mkhitaryan has become the first Armenian to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty Images
 The Armenian's appearance took the tally of nationalities in the Prem to 112
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The Armenian's appearance took the tally of nationalities in the Prem to 112Credit: Getty Images

Emilio Nsue became the first Equatorial Guinea player to play in England's top division when he helped the Premier League newcomers to a 1-1 draw at home to Stoke City on Saturday.

Last season, Manchester City's Bersant Celina became the first Kosovan player to feature in the top flight, and Chelsea's Bertrand Traore became the first player from Burkina Faso to do the same.

 Jose Mourinho's men recorded their first Premier League win of the season
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Jose Mourinho's men recorded their first Premier League win of the seasonCredit: Reuters
 Victor Wanyama was the first Kenyan to play in the Premier League
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Victor Wanyama was the first Kenyan to play in the Premier LeagueCredit: Reuters
 Bertrand Traore was the first player from Burkina Faso to play in the Prem
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Bertrand Traore was the first player from Burkina Faso to play in the PremCredit: Reuters

Other players who became the first to appear for their country in the Premier League include Kenya's Victor Wanyama, who moved from Southampton to Tottenham this summer, and Austria's Alex Manninger, who previously played for Arsenal but now plies his trade for Liverpool.

Peter Schmeichel became Denmark's first Prem player, ex-Aston Villa star Savo Milosevic was the first Serbian in the top division, while Bruce Grobbelaar was the first Zimbabwean.

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