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Tag: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

  • Ibrahimovic departure a big loss for European soccer – Mourinho

    European soccer has lost a “huge player” in Zlatan Ibrahimovic but the striker will raise the level of the game in the U.S following his move to LA Galaxy, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho said on Friday.

    Ibrahimovic last week ended a short but successful stint at United where he won the League Cup and the Europa League.

    The striker has become the latest high-profile player to move to the MLS, following the likes of David Beckham, Steven Gerrard, Thierry Henry and Frank Lampard.

    Mourinho used his news conference ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League game against Swansea City to pay tribute to the talismanic Swedish forward who he previously coached at Inter Milan.

    “For me it’s always sad when the big players move towards the end.

    “I remember Luis Figo’s last match with me and Inter, it was one of my saddest moments.

    The Zlatan goodbye was more in that direction, he’s a huge player that European Football has lost.

    “But this period with LA Galaxy will be very good for him, he will be good for American football, because of what he can do; his personality, his passion and his professionalism,” Mourinho told reporters.

    Ibrahimovic sustained a bad knee injury in United’s Europa League quarter-final against Belgian side Anderlecht last April but returned to make seven appearances for the Old Trafford side this season.

    “His recovery was an example of what a professional should be,” Mourinho added.

    “For him (the move to U.S.) will just be a way to enjoy the last couple of years of football.”

    United will be without back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero for the weekend’s game, after the Argentine international picked up a knock in his country’s 6-1 friendly defeat by Spain.

    Ashley Young was also injured on international duty with England but could play against Carlos Carvalhal’s 14th-placed side.

    United are second in the table on 65 points from 30 games as they bid to finish as runners-up to champions-elect Manchester City.

     

  • Ibrahimovic wins EPL best player award for December

    Manchester United forward, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been named the Premier League’s Player of the Month for December after his five goals helped Manchester United find winning form.

    The 35-year-old Swedish has enjoyed his first season in English Premier League and now has a total of 18 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils.

    He opened December goal against Everton at Goodison Park, then claimed United’s late winner in their 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
    Ibrahimovic again scored twice in a 2-0 win at West Bromwich Albion and one against Sunderland on Boxing Day.

    In addition, the giant striker scored in United’s 2-0 UEFA Europa League win away to Zorya Luhansk, securing his team’s to the knockout round.

    ‘I am playing in a great team with great team-mates, a great coach and at a great club,’ said Ibrahimovic, who joined United on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain over the summer.

    It was a double success for United in the monthly accolades, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan winning the Carling Goal of the Month for December with his scorpion kick against Sunderland.

  • I’m chasing the Premier League title – Ibrahimovic warns title contenders

    Manchester United Striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has once again lived up to his confident personality by claiming he has ‘already conquered England’ despite not yet winning a major trophy with Manchester United.

    The Swedish, speaking to his club website, said: ‘No, I’m not chasing anybody. I’m chasing the head trophy – the Premier League.

    ‘That is my aim. The individual things come as part of the main objective because that is like a bonus for every individual player.

    ‘I have no individual targets because that I did already, after three months in England. After I conquered England – it took three months.

    ‘If the collective does well, then the individuals will do well. I try to help the team and try to do what I’m best at – scoring goals, playing good and creating chances for my team-mates.

    ‘As long as I can do that, I know I will help my team. The same thing with them, they help me the way they can for the team.’
    Ibrahimovic has previously won club titles in Holland, Italy, Spain and France, will be a top striker for Manchester United side to face rivals Liverpool at the weekend.

    The 35-yr-old striker has been happy with his club recent form which has seen the Red Devils win their last nine games in all competitions.

    Ibrahimovic is not resting on his laurels as he is keen for United to overtake the likes of Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City.

    ‘The last one and a half months have shown the right way, the gap has been bigger but now it is better,’ added Ibrahimovic.

    ‘So we are closer to that now. We wait for the other teams to have their dips, to make their mistakes, and we will be there.

    ‘I said from the beginning – slowly, slowly, we will get better and everything was about the click.’

  • Jose: Ibra is going nowhere

    Jose Mourinho insists in-form Zlatan Ibrahimovic will see out his career with Manchester United rather than embark on a swansong in America or China.

    The 35-year-old Swede is United’s top scorer having netted 16 times in 25 games, including 10 in his past nine, and Mourinho has said he intends to exercise the second-year option on the contract Ibrahimovic signed in the summer.

    His immediate future may well be at Old Trafford and, beyond that, Mourinho does not expect the well-travelled striker to bow out with a lucrative stint in Major League Soccer or the Chinese Super League.Arsenal, Chelsea & West Ham all to Win.

     

    “He scores goals, he plays well and I’m really happy for him because he will end his career on a high, which is amazing. He’s not ending his career in America or in China, he’s ending his career at the top of the top.

    “I’m really pleased with him. His record is good and he can improve. With no penalties, which is amazing too because normally the other guys that are top scorers around the world, they score a lot of penalties. He has had one penalty in 17 Premier League matches so I couldn’t be happier.”

    While Ibrahimovic quickly settled in his new surroundings, the process for fellow summer arrival Mourinho has not seemed to be as serene.

    United’s indifferent form, a succession of FA charges and living in a Manchester hotel had all presented challenges for the Portuguese in his new job.

    But he insists he has been comfortable embracing the task of taking charge of one of the world’s biggest football teams.

    “For me, it was easy – it’s a difficult job but easy to feel at home, easy to feel good in the club, easy to feel that the club wants to progress, the people want to be happy again,” he added.

    “I felt good immediately so five, six months here, but really feeling at home; for me it was quite easy.

    “Obviously expectations are high, results…up and down and we are in a position that is not the position where we want to be. But in terms of passion for my work, passion for my new club, I’m feeling really happy here, yes.”

     

  • Ibrahimovic to snub offer from China, to extend stay at Man United

    Swedish striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to snub a staggering £120million offer from China to extend his stay at Manchester United.

    The Chinese government is willing to bankroll a move for the Swedish superstar knowing he can guarantee millions in commercial revenue and raise the profile of the Chinese Super League.

    They made overtures to the 35-year-old last year and were willing to offer around £56m a year to the free agent yet he opted for the challenge of the Premier League and Manchester United.

    His form and goalscoring exploits, however, have only served to whet the Chinese government’s appetite further and they have increased their offer which would include a fee for United. Their intention would be to then place him with a high-profile club within their Super League.

    United and Jose Mourinho, though, have already confirmed they intend to offer Ibrahimovic another year and the imposing Swede is happy to stay for another season beyond this one.

    Despite the odd stutter in form, Ibrahimovic has won admirers at United and throughout the Premier League with his nature, fitness and attitude, helping to educate some of the club’s younger players.
    He has played 25 games and scored 16 goals in his debut season for United and has settled well in Manchester.

    He believes that United can mount a serious challenge for the Premier League and wants to help Mourinho deliver before signing off and considering his next move, knowing the Chinese will still be willing to make him an offer in 2018.

    Mourinho described Ibrahimovic as ‘undroppable’ last week and, prior to Saturday’s game with West Brom, the striker said: ‘In my mind, I’m fresh. I’m like a 20-year-old boy. I feel fresh, I feel good and I’ll keep going.