“I mean this is what we play for”.
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“I need to take off the smallest player because we were expecting a lot of long balls. He gave me exactly what I needed”, added Mourinho, who sold Mata to United for £37.1m in January 2014 before leading Chelsea to the Premier League title the following season. Both teams are standing together and you can win another prize [in the Community Shield], so we’re happy.
Ibrahimovic made the decisive impact on his competitive debut for United seven minutes from time at Wembley with a looping header from Antonio Valencia’s cross to seal a 2-1 victory for Jose Mourinho’s men.
However, following the game at Wembley, Mourinho opted to dedicate the accolade to his predecessor and former colleague Louis van Gaal.
Jesse Lingard, who scored the final goal of the Louis van Gaal era with the victor in the FA Cup final against Crystal Palace, had put United ahead before half-time.
After missing out on qualifying for Champions League football for the second time in three seasons, Manchester United have splashed the cash this summer to strengthen the squad at new boss Jose Mourinho’s disposal.
For our fans, when they watch the players fight until the end, they are happy. We take this seriously; we know it’s pre-season but it’s a prize that you can win, and one you want to win.
“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”.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a serial trophy victor, and he showed just why Manchester United signed him by heading home the victor for the Red Devils to sink Leicester in the season curtain raiser.
Explaining the decision to substitute the player, Mourinho explained: “We were winning 1-0, late on, and I had one substitution left”.
“I was, and I am, very curious to see Leicester, see what we can do this season”.
“I’m very pleased with our performance”.
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“But something big is going on with our team”. We worked hard and it’s great to win a trophy.
