Zlatan: Lukaku makes Manchester United even stronger

Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic Photo: Dave Thompson/AP

Manchester United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic Photo: Dave Thompson/AP

Published Aug 25, 2017

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MANCHESTER - Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will hope to cap a successful week, on and off the field, by making it three wins in as many games when Leicester visit Old Trafford on Saturday.

United have won their opening two league games, each by 4-0 scorelines, at home to West Ham and at Swansea, while Mourinho has been boosted by seeing key squad members return from long-term injuries.

As if that wasn't encouraging enough for Mourinho, Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejoined on a one-year contract and should be available before the end of the year after recovering from knee surgery.

Defenders Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo are also regaining fitness, along with winger Ashley Young. Shaw and Young, who both came through an under-23 fixture this week, could find themselves on the bench against Leicester.

With Ibrahimovic still months away from a return to first-team action, Mourinho will be hoping Romelu Lukaku, the man signed to replace the 28 goals scored by the Swede last season, can continue in his current form.

I UNITED it @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/2rgvuvoT0m

— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) August 24, 2017

The Belgian international scored three goals in his first two league games - four in three games, including his goal in the European Super Cup defeat to Real Madrid.

And Ibrahimovic believes that, despite losing club captain Wayne Rooney this summer, United's attacking corps is far stronger thanks to the development of Marcus Rashford and the arrival of Lukaku.

"Yeah, I'm happy he came. I think the team is much stronger this season, although we lost Rooney, a legend," said Ibrahimovic on ESPN FC.

"Signing Lukaku makes us even stronger because he has different qualities from me as a striker and from Rashford as a striker. He is a powerful guy and he brings extra qualities in a game."

The addition of Lukaku - plus, presumably, his own pending return to the United fold - has convinced Ibrahimovic that Mourinho's side can win the Premier League title this season.

"In the Premier League there are many rivals, which are the top six let's say, they will give a hard time for everybody," he said. 

"Like last season Chelsea was the best team, they won. You'll still have Chelsea, you have Liverpool, I think Everton are not to be underestimated because they have a great coach and they are investing a lot to win. 

"And obviously you have Arsenal, Manchester City. So I think it will look like last year but this year the Red Devils will be on top." 

AFP

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