Ibrahimovic Scores As Man United Begin Season With Win

Jose Mourinho made a winning Premier League start as Manchester United manager with a comprehensive opening victory at Bournemouth.

Juan Mata, who was substituted after coming on in last week’s Community Shield, opened the scoring with a tap-in after Simon Francis’ error.

Wayne Rooney headed the second before Zlatan Ibrahimovic marked his United league debut with a goal from 25 yards.

Adam Smith scored a consolation goal for the Cherries.

United were without world-record £89m signing Paul Pogba through suspension, while midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan started on the bench, with Mata preferred.

Can Mourinho bring back the fear factor?

As starts go, this was a highly satisfactory day for United – the Mourinho era began with a solid victory at a ground where they came unstuck under Louis van Gaal last season.

United started slowly and did not register a shot on target until a Rooney effort produced a comfortable save from Boruc in the 27th minute.

Yet it was job done once the visitors opened the scoring with a messy goal and added two more in the space of five second-half minutes to put them in a commanding position.

Mata looked unhappy when he was replaced 30 minutes after coming on at Wembley against Leicester last Sunday but the Spaniard was all smiles as he got Mourinho’s reign up and running.

Boruc made a fine block from Mata after Francis’ under-hit back-pass but the rebound bounced off Francis into the former Chelsea player’s path and he tapped home.

United’s second goal was also down to some good fortune – Rooney was well positioned to head home after Anthony Martial’s mis-hit shot fell perfectly for his captain.

Ibrahimovic was denied by a one-handed Boruc save but the Swede made it 3-0 with a drilled low finish from outside the area to leave Mourinho smiling.

Ibrahimovic conjures another debut goal

Ibrahimovic continued his remarkable record of marking debuts with a goal.

The 34-year-old Swede has now scored on his first league starts in England, Italy, Spain and France, and in the Champions League.

Any concerns the frenetic pace in English football’s top-flight might not suit Ibrahimovic were dispelled with his well-executed finish to follow a goal at Wembley last week.

Mourinho’s oldest signing of the summer could turn out to be his shrewdest.

BBC

Ibrahimovic Scores As Man United Begin Season With Win

Ibrahimovic Breaks 2nd Man United Record

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has set a social media record at Manchester United, after confirmation of his arrival at Old Trafford became the club’s most popular Instagram post of all time.

Our photo of the Swede holding aloft his Reds shirt (in the gallery above) has earned over half a million ‘likes’ since it was posted on 1 July, which was the day he signed his contract at the Aon Training Complex.

We can also report that four entries involving Ibra are now among our six most popular Instagram posts. Furthermore, nine of a much-changed top 10 all include new recruits in the form of Zlatan, manager Jose Mourinho and the club’s latest signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Topping the Instagram chart is not the first benchmark Zlatan has set during his short time with the Reds, after he broke the club’s power record during his medical earlier this month.

Hit the main image above to count down United’s top 10 Instagram posts of all-time.

Manutd

Ibrahimovic Breaks 2nd Man United Record

Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Make "Big Announcement" On Tuesday

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has got tongues wagging after revealing he will make a “big announcement” on Tuesday afternoon.

Manchester United have been linked with a move for the Sweden international and the striker announced he will soon unveil his destiny having spent the last few weeks playing cat-and-mouse with the world’s media.

Sky sources reported on June 4 that the 34-year-old, whose contract at Paris Saint-Germain expired, was Old Trafford-bound and could conclude a deal before the start of Euro 2016.

He continued to keep football fans guessing by speaking on Swedish TV about his plans this week as his team prepare for their Euro 2016 Group E opener against the Republic of Ireland on June 13.

“There will be a big announcement on June 7. It will be this summer’s big bomb,” Ibrahimovic said. “It feels good, feels better than good. A lot will happen with this news, so hopefully you’ll all enjoy.”

When pushed on his destination following his exit from PSG, he added: “Come and see on the 7th.”

While it is expected the former Milan and Barcelona forward will unveil a new clothing line at 5pm on Tuesday, he may use the platform to maximise exposure and reveal his anticipated switch to United.

Sky sources understand Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovic’s representatives have been finalising terms on a one-year deal, with Mourinho determined to make the Swede his first marquee signing.

It is also understood that Ibrahimovic is the only striker Mourinho wants to acquire this summer, with the Portuguese convinced Marcus Rashford can make a significant impact at Old Trafford next season.

Skysports

Zlatan Ibrahimovic To Make "Big Announcement" On Tuesday

Manchester United Set To Sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester United will complete the signing of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and could conclude a deal before the start of Euro 2016, according to Sky sources.

It is understood United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and Ibrahimovic’s representatives are finalising terms on a one-year contract, with Jose Mourinho determined to make the Sweden international his first marquee signing at Old Trafford.

And a free transfer following the expiration of his current Paris Saint-Germain deal is expected to be completed before Sweden’s first Group E match against Ireland on June 13.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic confirms he has had several offers to join Premier League clubs

Sky sources understand Ibrahimovic is the only striker Mourinho wants to sign this summer, with the Portuguese convinced Marcus Rashford can make a significant impact at Old Trafford next season.

While Mourinho believes Ibrahimovic is a key signing that United need if they are to challenge for the Premier League title next term, he is also keen to give Rashford plenty of opportunities to continue his rapid development.

Sky Sports News HQ has been told that Mourinho is conscious of the need to continue United’s legacy of bringing through young players into the first team, and even passed on the opportunity to sign Leicester’s Jamie Vardy this week so as to protect Rashford’s progress.

Ibrahimovic is a free agent after leaving Paris Saint-Germain

Sky sources first reported United’s interest in the former Malmo FF, Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan star back in May, ahead of Mourinho’s appointment to replace Louis van Gaal.

Talks between United and Ibrahimovic’s agent Mino Raiola gathered pace following Mourinho’s arrival at Old Trafford, and Sky sources subsequently reported last week that they were only Premier League club Ibrahimovic was considering.

It is understood the 6ft 5in, Malmo-born Swede wants to add the Premier League to his array of titles that includes the Spanish La Liga, Italian Serie A, French Ligue 1 and Dutch Eredivisie.

Ibrahimovic had more lucrative offers from Chinese Super League clubs and options in Italy, but it appears he has been convinced to move to Manchester for a reunion with Mourinho, and that it’s the right move to make at this stage of his illustrious career.

SKYSPORTS

Manchester United Set To Sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester United Target Rules Out Malmo

Ibrahimovic missed Sweden’s 0-0 friendly draw with Slovenia on Monday

Manchester United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic has ruled out a return to Malmo, insisting he is too good to play league football in Sweden.

The 34-year-old Sweden striker, a free agent after his Paris St-Germain contract expired, has been linked with United and a move to China.

He told the media on Wednesday he would reveal his next club once he got “tired” of reading all the speculation.

Ibrahimovic played for Malmo, his first club, from 1996 to 2004.

He went on to play for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona and AC Milan before joining PSG in 2012.

Responding to the transfer rumours, Ibrahimovic told reporters: “I want you to still write a lot of stories, so I get excited when I see them, because I want to see who is making up the best story.

“When I’m tired of it, I’ll let you know where I will go.”

Ibrahimovic is currently with the Sweden squad for Euro 2016, which is being held in France and starts on 10 June.

BBC

Manchester United Target Rules Out Malmo

I"m Not That Old - Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has told his Premier League suitors he has no intention of retiring anytime soon.

 

The Paris Saint Germain striker, who will lead the line for the French club against Chelsea in the Champions League on Wednesday night, is set to leave at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Ibrahimovic could prove an attractive proposition for an elite Premier League club next season, but at the age of 34, any move to England would surely be on a short-term basi

However, Ibrahimovic insists he feels as fresh as ever and has no plans to hang up his boots.

“I feel young, very young. Age is just a number,” said the Swede.

“People say I’m old, but I’m only warming up. My future is I have two months left on my contract and then I go to the Euros. After that there’s nothing, I’m not in discussions with any other club.”

 

Chelsea trail PSG 2-1 after the first-leg of their round of 16 tie. Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani netted for PSG, but John Obi Mikel scored an away goal for Chelsea in what is Guus Hiddink’s only defeat since being appointed interim manager in December 2015.

I"m Not That Old - Ibrahimovic