Serial trophy-hunter Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Manchester United’s match-winner as they kicked off the Jose Mourinho era with a 2-1 win against Leicester in the Community Shield.
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Jesse Lingard opened the scoring for United and Jamie Vardy equalised for the Foxes after a careless backpass by Marouane Fellaini.
But it was left to debutant Ibrahimovic to steal the show with an 83rd-minute header and deliver United their first trophy under Mourinho.
News of Van Gaal’s departure as United manager, to be replaced by Mourinho, had been leaked in the aftermath of the Cup final win against Crystal Palace in May.
“I want to dedicate the victory to Louis van Gaal because without him we would not be here celebrating”, said Mourinho.
Summer signing Ibrahimovic endeared himself to the United faithful with an 83rd-minute victor as United won the trophy for a record 21st time.
“I think he played very well”. After we conceded the second goal, then we still had a very good chance just before the end of the game.
Mourinho also explained why he took off Juan Mata after the player had only entered the field early in the second half. But he insisted the Spain global now understands why he was replaced.
“I wouldn’t be ambitious if I said it was a fantastic performance”.
“I know I did something that is not nice to do, to take Mata off in the last minute”.
Ibrahimovic won it after Vardy – following Fellaini’s poor back-pass – cancelled out Lingard’s first-half opener.
“But it is always important to start with a trophy”.
“We play for the trophies and I’m super happy and super excited for the goal – but especially for the win because it’s a trophy for the team”.
“It is why I came here, and hopefully there will be more”.
Ibrahimovic’s trophy-laden career began with a Dutch league and cup double with Ajax in 2000-01, following his move from Malmo in Sweden. The team is fantastic.
“It is probably the biggest club that I have ever played in, the only one that compares is Milan”.
Leicester city will begin the defense of their Premier League title against newly promoted and now manager-less – Hull on Saturday and the Black Stars defender Amartey, will have to fight on to secure a place back in the team.
Our team has something big going on, it’s a good start.
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