Ibrahimovic had been on the periphery for much of the game as Jesse Lingard added to his FA Cup final victor with an impressive solo strike to put United ahead against the Premier League champions.
Advertisement
The Portuguese was impressed with Bailly’s ability to handle Leicester speedy strikers, including Nigerian Ahmed Musa, and also credited the Ivorian’s central defensive partner, Dutchman Daley Blind.
“I was, and I am, very curious to see Leicester, see what we can do this season”.
“I want to dedicate the win to eight people, the seven players who were not selected and the person who allowed us to be here, which is Louis Van Gaal”, Mourinho told BT Sport.
Substitute Juan Mata was replaced in Manchester United’s Community Shield win “because he was the smallest player”, boss Jose Mourinho said.
Mourinho’s men have now had their hands on the Shield 21 times, including 17 outright wins – six more than nearest challengers Liverpool.
“Perhaps it is the biggest club I’ve played at”. It is probably the biggest club I played in. Leicester included? No, we don’t ask from ourselves to win the Premier League again, not at all.
“It was a hard game, we play against a good team, the champions from last season”.
Despite the win, Mourinho recognized that his team was not at its optimum level yet with only a week to go until the Premier League season begins for United at Bournemouth.
Ibrahimovic won it after Vardy – following Fellaini’s poor back-pass – cancelled out Lingard’s first-half opener.
“It’s exciting times. I’m optimistic because we have a great squad and we already have our first trophy with the Community Shield and there’s a lot more to come”.
Lingard said that Mourinho has given the attacking players freedom to rotate.
Advertisement
“No pre-season in China, a very bad pre-season, so I think step by step we are changing, but I think it’s always important to start with a trophy”.
