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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Manchester United's 'extra man' - Jose Mourinho

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Man Utd 'had to be there' for Ibrahimovic - Mourinho

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be the "extra man" for Manchester United after Christmas after re-signing for the club, says manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Sweden striker, who scored 28 goals in 48 games for United last season, has signed a one-year deal.

Ibrahimovic, 35, was released in June after his season was ended prematurely by a knee injury.

"Let him do his work, step by step and come back when he is ready," said Mourinho.

"He won't be ready for the group phase of the Champions League. No chance of that.

"I just think he will be the extra man for us in the second part of season. The second part of the season is normally January, after Christmas, when the transfer window reopens."

Ibrahimovic, who initially joined the Red Devils on a free transfer in July 2016, had been recuperating at United's training ground after knee surgery.

"A club like Manchester United has to show how big it is in details," added Mourinho.

"This is a big detail. A player that gets injured with a Manchester United shirt, fighting for Manchester United, the club has to be there for him.

"I am really happy with both the club and player."

'Some talent you cannot waste'

Anthony Martial
Anthony Martial is scored on both his substitute appearances for United this season

While Wayne Rooney has left the club to return to Everton, Ibrahimovic will face competition for a forward place from £75m signing Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

Martial scored four times in 25 Premier League games for United last season, but the 21-year-old forward has netted twice in two substitute appearances this term.

The France international has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford,external-link but Mourinho wants "more and more" from Martial.

"I hope he will be better this season than last," said the Portuguese, whose side host Leicester City on Saturday (17:30 BST kick-off).

"When you have some talent you cannot waste. When you are blessed with talent, you have to fulfil and explore it. You cannot be happy with just glimpses. That I am not going to change."

Midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan is another player Mourinho expects to see more from this season, having initially endured a slow start to his Manchester United career.

"He understands me and I understand him," added Mourinho. "With his talent, this season [will be] even better."

Rooney, who has scored twice since his return to Goodison Park, announced his retirement from international football this week.

Mourinho said the former England captain "told me the night before", and that he understood the 31-year-old's reasons for doing so.

"He does it for Everton and his family," said Mourinho. "I realise, like many other people, when he retires how many times he plays, how many goals he scored, what he represents for football in this country."

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131 comments

  • Comment posted by User0101581911, at 14:28 25 Aug 2017

    For all those utd haters out there...firstly dont read the articles about united if u cant stand them , secondly when a team is the best supported team in world football then they will have a lot of interest about them so get over yourselves. No one has said united have the league already won, so i suggest you all grow up ....

    We are delighted with winning 2 games but we know its only 2 games

  • Comment posted by User0636177925, at 14:19 25 Aug 2017

    You can't use 'Zlatan' as your password because it's 'too strong'.

  • Comment posted by User0332159355, at 14:32 25 Aug 2017

    How can this been seen as anything than a good move?
    His presence on the training field alone.
    His experience and attitude to the young players.
    Plus tactically it's another option in certain games.
    A proven goalscorer.

  • Comment posted by Dan Pilkington, at 14:14 25 Aug 2017

    Fair enough. He probably realises at this age that instead of expecting to start every week, he is probably only going to be used to support Lukaku. Still an invaluable asset to have in the dressing room but he will be nowhere near the on-the-pitch presence he was last season.

  • Comment posted by D1710687572562, at 14:26 25 Aug 2017

    Top player proven goal scorer happy to see him back

  • Comment posted by Duncan, at 14:31 25 Aug 2017

    @7. markthelegendkid

    Ask yourself why you found the need to appear on an unrelated HYS to tell us that City are still "favourites". Rattled much? City already dropping points and their fans don't like the bump back to reality after reading too much into bookies tips.

  • Comment posted by just-for-fun, at 14:22 25 Aug 2017

    a very deserve re-sign, the best player in Man U last year!!!!!!!!!

  • Comment posted by Peter B, at 14:38 25 Aug 2017

    How has markthelegendkid still got an account on here? 50% of his pathetic posts end up being removed anyway.

    Fact is, Man Utd have signed the best free agent twice in successive seasons.

    BTW, if all the ABUs didn't post their moaning about Man Utd HYS threads, the post counts would be a hell of lot smaller and the BBC may start less of them.

  • Comment posted by maze, at 14:22 25 Aug 2017

    Jose wanted a 4th signing and he got it. I think when the games start coming thick and fast after from January onwards we will need Zlatan in the squad to provide the extra little bit of something special, especially if we progress in all competitions. Our squad on paper is ready for the title and for europe.

  • Comment posted by Duncan, at 14:27 25 Aug 2017

    @8. Thebluesarestayingup

    ...In other news, another ABU turns up on a Utd HYS to moan about a Utd HYS. Amazing how many people spend their time this way.

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 14:35 25 Aug 2017

    Making quality signings in the January transfer window is always hard, and expensive. So having Zlatan come back on a free around then is a really big positive for us.

    Should help in case of any injuries, and provide another option up front. Really hope he ends up doing part time coaching too, as he has a lot to offer to our youth.

  • Comment posted by boor, at 14:34 25 Aug 2017

    He's going to be massive for United in the second half of the season.

  • Comment posted by Cheers of a Clown, at 21:49 25 Aug 2017

    Manchester United have resigned a quality player. Could be crucial come the New Year. Nice to see the club respecting the player after he was injured.

  • Comment posted by Emile Heskey for England Captain, at 14:24 25 Aug 2017

    Not a bad player to have on the bench!

  • Comment posted by AndyC_MK, at 16:41 25 Aug 2017

    All you numpties complaining about another United article/HYS- you realise that by clicking said articles and commenting, you're only contributing towards more United articles/HYS's being published??

    Here's a novel idea- if you want to see less of these, stop clicking and commenting the same predictable drivel.

  • Comment posted by RobinFromPersia20, at 15:21 25 Aug 2017

    For the first time since we signed RVP i can genuinely be proud of looking at a United team sheet. We have our attack midfield and defence (latter nearly) sorted.

  • Comment posted by User0249812757, at 16:22 25 Aug 2017

    46. Posted by Funky Chunky Monkey

    There arew tonnes of HYSs every week on all prem fixtures

    You moan about manu ones but go o every single one

    Why? Because the 80s club you glory hunt have been userped by manu and it's a massive kick in the teeth because you thought you picked a club that'd be Englands most successful to this day BUT THEY AREN'T!

  • Comment posted by SimonB, at 15:13 25 Aug 2017

    ABUs in tears? Check.

    Never change lads, never change.

    :)

  • Comment posted by Feri, at 16:17 25 Aug 2017

    To all those who complain any the number of HYS on united.
    The BBC do HYS on any team/article that attract the most hits and ironically it is all you ABUs that comment on ManU related articles, mostly complaining about their existence, that drive the hit rate up and hence make them more popular, Doh.
    Not very bright are you:)

  • Comment posted by U16688859, at 22:10 25 Aug 2017

    77. disgusting comment. irrespective of who gets a serious knee injury or who they play for i personally like to see all players recover well and get back to playing 100% fit again. some sick comments on these threads.

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