Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho praised his side’s display in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth on Sunday, particularly with the “control” they had in large spells, the Daily Star reports. They are the guys with him at the table.
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In the second half, Man United started strongly before doubling their lead just before the hour mark.
The goal means the 34-year-old has now scored on his maiden appearances in the Champions League, Serie A, LaLiga, Ligue 1 and the English top flight.
Ibrahimovic was given far too much space 25 yards from goal and the summer signing took his time before firing into the bottom corner with a clinical finish.
Bournemouth’s Adam Smith pulled a goal back in the 69th minute but he couldn’t halt United’s charge to three points.
The Swedish striker got his Premier League career off to a winning start, capping an impressive debut with a superb long-range strike for United’s third goal at the Vitality Stadium. Theo Walcott fired in the first goal for the Gunners in the 31st minute, moments after missing a penalty.
Mata may have suffered the indignity of being substituted during United’s Community Shield win over Leicester last week, but he was surprisingly named in the starting line-up as Mourinho made two changes from the win over Leicester, with Jesse Lingard and Michael Carrick dropping out. “You have to sometimes accept that you can not control absolutely everything”.
“In signing Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, United have players of stature and arrogance – in a good way – and, historically, United have always needed players with big personalities”, he told Sky Sports News.
“In August it can be frustrating for players not in the team because it’s one game a week”.
“Like everybody, I want to start so I’m happy to start today and show my quality and show the manager what I can do”, the Manchester United midfielder sounded hopeful at the end. “I believe I’m good enough to play”. I know him very well because I worked with him for six months at a previous club.
“I don’t think they need a statement”.
“Everybody knows we are going to fight for the title”.
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“If it’s mathematically not possible one day, we’ll think about top four”. That would be fine.
