Zlatan Ibrahimovic hailed Manchester United’s Community Shield win over Leicester City as the start of something big after the Sweden striker secured the first silverware of the Jose Mourinho era.
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“I would be not ambitious if I said it was a fantastic performance”.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s late header consigned Leicester to defeat at Wembley, though Ranieri was unperturbed. Zlatan needs the team to play, he needs the team to produce and he needs the team to be arriving in the final third. I won’t tell you; ‘yes we are looking [for new players]’, but if something good for us happens, then okay, why not? Both teams are standing together and you can win another prize [in the Community Shield], so we’re happy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring the victor against Leicester. (Picture: Getty) Zlatan celebrates his first trophy win as a Man United player.
But rather than claim it as his own, the Portuguese chose to credit his predecessor, Louis van Gaal, with the success. “I don’t mind him having one more trophy, and I remember when I have left clubs who have gone on to win things they don’t always recognise who helped them get there”.
Juan Mata (L) is greeted by manager Jose Mourinho (C) and first team coach Silvino Louro (R) at Wembley Stadium in London on August 7, 2016.
“But our desire to do well and work and improve [is our biggest strength]. In this moment, we are not a super team, but we are a team with a super desire”.
“It feels good to be in Manchester United and this is what counts”.
“It feels good”, he said. I have one more player [to bring on] and I have to pick the smallest one [to come off].
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“They brought an intensity to the game which was hard for us to cope with”, he added. “I could not take (Marouane) Fellaini or Ibra off, they were important for the Rory Delap throw-ins and we wanted to win the game”.
