Manchester United stars arrive for training as Juan Mata says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is back to his best after long term knee injury

  • Proud Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic drove to Manchester United training in a Volvo
  • Ibrahimovic is back at fitness following an eight month spell on the sidelines 
  • He scored for the first time this season with a powerful free kick v Bristol City 

Juan Mata hopes that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's goal in midweek is proof that the striker is back to his best.

Ibrahimovic scored for the first time since returning from a long term knee injury this week, with a free kick in the Carabao Cup loss to Bristol City.

Team mate Mata hopes this shows Ibrahimovic is back to full strength and ready for the Christmas fixtures.

Proud Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrives for Manchester United training driving a Volvo

Proud Swede Zlatan Ibrahimovic arrives for Manchester United training driving a Volvo

Paul Pogba gives United team mate Victor Lindelof a lift to Carrington on Friday morning

Paul Pogba gives United team mate Victor Lindelof a lift to Carrington on Friday morning

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero arrives in a rather low key vehicle - a Fiat 500 Abarth

Goalkeeper Sergio Romero arrives in a rather low key vehicle - a Fiat 500 Abarth


Mata said: 'Obviously, eight months out of the team, it takes time to come back fully. I think he's doing great. He put in a lot of work during the summer and has been training hard with the team. 

'He scored a great goal on Wednesday as it was a well-struck free-kick. You know he can kick very strongly, like he showed, and he is one more player who can score.

'I am sure he will bring many more goals and hard work to the team until the end of the season. We are so happy he is back.' 

United manager Jose Mourinho is driven to work ahead of the weekend clash with Leicester

United manager Jose Mourinho is driven to work ahead of the weekend clash with Leicester

Striker Romelu Lukaku is instantly recognisable in his custom painted Rolls Royce

Striker Romelu Lukaku is instantly recognisable in his custom painted Rolls Royce

Midfielder Nemanja Matic is rather less stand out in his choice of car, a red Mini

Midfielder Nemanja Matic is rather less stand out in his choice of car, a red Mini

Ibrahimovic is proud of being Swedish - he represented his country 116 times, has been named national footballer of the year 11 times, and a statue of him has been built outside a stadium in Stockholm - and ff the pitch, the striker looks to have a similar connection to his home country, driving one of Sweden's most famous brands.

Ibrahimovic eschewed more glamourous car companies like BMW or Audi as he arrived for Manchester United training on Friday, as he drove a Volvo to work. 

With Volvo's known for their reliability, Ibrahimovic will hope to show a similar level of consistency now he has returned from a long spell injured on the sidelines. 

Defender Phil Jones is driven to work at the AON training complex by his wife Kaya Hall

Defender Phil Jones is driven to work at the AON training complex by his wife Kaya Hall

Defender Matteo Darmian has no interest in blending in as he drives a bright red Jeep

Defender Matteo Darmian has no interest in blending in as he drives a bright red Jeep

Jesse Lingard arrives for work as United take part in their final training session of the week

Jesse Lingard arrives for work as United take part in their final training session of the week

Plenty of other United stars were spotted arriving at Carrington for training on Friday, with Paul Pogba giving team mate Victor Lindelof a lift. 

Like Ibrahimovic, goalkeeper Sergio Romero went slightly low-key too, arriving in a Fiat 500 Abarth.

Jose Mourinho, as usual, was chauffeured in the back of a taxi, as he plans ahead for United's trip to Leicester on Saturday evening.