A rampant Liverpool came from behind to beat Arsenal 4-3 at Emirates Stadium, ripping Wenger’s young defence to pieces with consummate ease in the second half.
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And, on Sunday, a goal on his Premier League debut – a long-distance strike that garnished United’s 3-1 win at Bournemouth.
A goal from a bicycle kick four minutes into a friendly match in his first appearance in the famous red shirt. His tame effort deserved to end up in the goalkeeper’s arms – or in row Z – but instead popped up onto Rooney’s head. A new environment, new stadiums, clubs, team-mates.
“Of course we are bitterly disappointed”, said the Frenchman, who will mark his 20th year in charge next month. Mourinho said the striker will be “phenomenal” for United and the Premier League as a whole, and doesn’t understand how Ibrahimovic wasn’t able to break the dominance of Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi in voting for FIFA’s world player of the year. “He’s played in different leagues throughout Europe and scored in all of them and I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to score for us”.
“But we are not stupid”, Wenger said.
A well-stocked squad left behind by Louis van Gaal was not in high spirits, according to Mourinho, when he took the reins during pre-season but he is happy with the progress he has seen and believes the majority have a part to play. “You have to sometimes accept that you can not control absolutely everything”.
If he wins the title with United, it will be the seventh time that he has ended his first season at a club with a league winner’s medal around his neck.
Juan Mata and Wayne Rooney’s goals had earlier put the visitors in command as manager Jose Mourinho, and Ibrahimovic, enjoyed winning starts to their United careers.
Although Jordon Ibe had a couple of half-chances when his side were 1-0 down, the Cherries rarely threatened, but Adam Smith’s excellent finish gave the home side hope.
Mourinho, who was sacked as Chelsea boss in December previous year, said after the game: “We are building something strong and to build something strong, it’s not just the people on the pitch, it’s the people on the bench, the ones not selected and fundamentally it’s the Red family.
I feel alive”, Ibrahimovic said. Luke Shaw, Marcus Rashford – these are the guys who are with him at the table.
“He knows what he can be for them as well as what he does with his performances”.
“But, for the team, you have to forget the passport, that he is 34 years old. He is at the top of his qualities”.
With Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City beating Sunderland 2-1 on Saturday, and Chelsea hosting West Ham in a London derby on Monday night, United’s victory was an important one, at least psychologically.
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“To be honest, before the match a little bit, yes”, Mourinho said.
