JOSE MOURINHO EXPECTS Zlatan Ibrahimovicโs contract extension at Manchester United to be finalised soon.
The 35-year-old striker continued his exceptional recent form with a goal โ his 50th at club level in 2016 โ and two assists on Monday as United defeated David Moyesโ Sunderland 3-1 at Old Trafford.
Mourinho confirmed last month that he was keen to take up the option to extend the Swedeโs one-season deal by a further year and he foresees no problem in ironing out the details.
Asked if the agreement to extend his stay had been activated, Mourinho added: โNot yet, but itโs activated in his brain and in my decisions and also in the owners and the board. So no problem.
โIโm not really surprised [by his form] because heโs a very intelligent guy, a very proud man. For him to decide to come to Manchester United, the Premier League, the most difficult league in the world for a striker โ itโs because he knows he can do it.
โWhen we contacted him and he said yes, I was sure he was not coming here to leave the Premier League without proof, to leave failing at Manchester United โ no way.
So when such a guy decided to come, I was completely clear that he would be ready and heโs ready for more next season. Heโll be here again.โ
United took the lead against Sunderland through Daley Blindโs first-half effort, but they did not make certain of the points until the final eight minutes, when Ibrahimovic scored before setting up a stunning effort from Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
โI didnโt like the first-half performance,โ admitted Mourinho. โI like the result. I liked very much the second half. The first half I didnโt like. I was expecting us to start much better.
โI know David and Sunderland deserved credit for what they did in the first half, but thatโs their performance.
โSecond half, we had everything back: intensity, recovering the ball high on the pitch, playing fast passes, good creativity.
โAnd to have players like Anthony Martial and Henrikh Mkhitaryan on the bench helps because they came into the game when they [Sunderland] are a bit tired. We deserve the victory.
โWe have played well for a long time. I think our game against Burnley was absolutely phenomenal. We played better against Burnley than today. The good performances we had for quite some time. Finally we have the good results, four victories and 12 points in a row. They are comfortable but we need to improve.โ
Signing of the season so far.
Only Messi has scored more goals then him in 2016. Not bad for a 35 year old
Heโs been a great signing. He came free, but on high wages. Had he come on a big transfer fee and same wages, he would have been worth it!! Iโd laughed at his transfer but so far heโs proved me very very wrong!!
The French league is now competitive since heโs left!
Go back a couple of months and each of his articles on here envoked aโhilariousโ free for all for opposition fans. Now look at the comments on here. now. Zlatan has spoken my friends!!