The 34-year-old certainly doesn’t seem 34, according to Mourinho.
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United, in their first league game under new manager Jose Mourinho, followed last weekend’s Community Shield success against the champions Leicester City by winning 3-1 at Bournemouth, with Zlatan Ibrahimovic scoring again.
He also gave Ibrahimovic and Bailly their league debuts, who both put in solid displays.
‘Forget the passport, forget 34 years old: the body and mentality is not of a 34-year-old guy, ‘ said the Portuguese.
Ibrahimović was an imposing figure up front for head coach Jose Mourinho’s squad and had reportedly bullied the Bournemouth defense with winning headers, fantastic volley passes, and fancy assists, as per Daily Mail Online.
When asked if he had been nervous before his first Premier League clash as United boss, Mourinho replied: “To be honest, before the match a little bit, yes, but to have that feeling is normal”.
“Everybody knows we are going to fight for the title, whether we win or not win is a different story”.
One player whose future has been in doubt ever since Mourinho took over at Old Trafford is the much-maligned Marouane Fellaini. “For the next two seasons I think he can be phenomenal for the team and the Premier League”.
After two disappointing seasons under Louis van Gaal and David Moyles has left United’s fans feeling very frustrated. “I just play my game, make the team win and we continue like that”.
“Like everybody, I want to start so I’m happy to start today (at Bournemouth) and show my quality and show the manager what I can do”, the Belgium worldwide added. The first objective is to win, and it’s also good if I score.
“I try to do my job and help my team”.
Mata started slowly but came more in to the game in the second-half, and it was his strike on 40 minutes that set United on their way to victory at the Vitality Stadium. “But it’s the same importance whoever scores”.
“It was a hard game”, Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports.
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Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports: “We weren’t at 100 per cent but in the second half it became easier”. Manchester United made their mark in the first game of the season.
