Jose Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s influence on his Manchester United team-mates will be just as crucial as his inspirational contribution on the pitch.
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Manchester United couldn’t have wished for a better start to their Premier League campaign, and Jose Mourinho’s players understandably travelled home from their 3-1 win at Bournemouth in high spirits.
Meanwhile, Liverpool held on to beat Arsenal in a stunning Premier League opening weekend encounter at Emirates Stadium.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has brought new life to Manchester United, with the prized signing already providing several moments of magic.
“With Fellaini I always had the feeling that he was not loved by the general Red people”, Mourinho said after the game. “He knows what he can be for them”, he said.
Since leaving Paris Saint Germain, speculation heavily linked the 34-year-old to England, and comparisons linking the past and present kings of Manchester were never far away.
Boruc denied United a second shortly after the break, standing up well to block Rooney’s effort after Ibrahimovic had lofted the ball over the top of the Bournemouth defence.
New signing Eric Bailly winning his second man of the match award in two games.
“It’s always important to win your first game”, club captain Rooney added.
“To be honest, yes a little bit before the game”, said Mourinho, who was sacked last December by Chelsea as their title defence imploded.
“Let’s see what happens”. I never forget coming with Real Madrid to Old Trafford and asking Sir Alex [Ferguson] if he was still nervous. Yes.
Determined to make a positive start, United applied most of the pressure in a tightly contested first half that saw few chances. “In the first half we weren’t 100 per cent but we had more space in the second half and could play our game”, he said. “For the next two years he can be phenomenal for the team and the Premier League”.
He recalled: “I started bad with Inter, one draw at home, and we won the treble”.
“I’m really happy now”, Mourinho continued. “We go into Friday [against Southampton] with a good feeling”.
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Mata said the win at Bournemouth was the ideal way to mark Herrera’s birthday. “He’s at the top of his qualities”.
