Jose Mourinho is ready to stick by misfiring striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic - despite the Manchester United striker’s goal drought.
Ibrahimovic has just one goal in his last 11 games for United, who have slipped to eighth in the Premier League table after a miserable run of form.
United have not scored in their last three Premier League games, but Mourinho hinted he will stick by Ibrahimovic, although skipper Wayne Rooney is pushing hard for a recall.
“He’s playing well for the team,” said Mourinho. “He’s creating a lot of chances and missing a lot of goals.
“If I remember Stoke, Liverpool, Chelsea and Burnley, he missed a lot of goals but he was fantastic in his dynamic, his working, his building up for the team - he was fantastic.
“Today [after United’s Europa League defeat to Fenerbahce] I cannot say the same. But in every match in the Premier League, even not scoring goals, he’s being fantastic.
“His attitude is always brilliant. He’s not a guy afraid of his responsibility, so no problem at all.”
Mourinho, who will serve a one-match touchline ban at Swansea tomorrow after accepting an FA misconduct charge, admitted United need to start scoring goals.
In pictures - Zlatan Ibrahimovic clashes with Fenerbahce's Simon Kjaer
“Sometimes a team doesn’t score goals because of its philosophy, because the team isn’t aggressive enough and doesn’t risk enough,” said the United boss.
“That’s not our case at all. But it’s easy to see that some players lack confidence in attacking areas and they’re not getting the chances they can.
“Probably one of the only good things [from the Europa League defeat] was the fact that Rooney finally scored a goal. Maybe it’s also a key point in terms of his self-confidence.”
Mourinho also called on his United players to show more leadership qualities on the pitch to end their dismal run and kickstart their ailing season.
The United boss said: “With a stronger attitude, leadership on the pitch, defenders in control of the emotion and the organisation, it’s easier to be strong and be solid.”