Manchester United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to start training at Carrington as Jose Mourinho era gathers steam
Rooney is excited to welcome the Swede to training at Carrington this week
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Your support makes all the difference.Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set for his first training session as a Manchester United player on Thursday after being granted an extended rest by Jose Mourinho following Euro 2016.
The Swedish striker, who retired from international football following his country’s exit from the tournament in France, will be joined by team-mates Marouane Fellaini, Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger at Carrington.
United captain Wayne Rooney, who returned to duty during the chaotic pre-season tour of China last week, has expressed excitement at finally being able to train alongside the former AC Milan, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain forward.
“I am looking forward to it,” the 30-year-old said. “I think he has been one of the best strikers in world football over the last 10 years and he has always won trophies everywhere he has been.
“He is a huge character so I am looking forward to getting back, training with him and hopefully forming a good partnership and being successful together.”
Ibrahimovic has been on an individual training regime since Sunday to prepare him for the rigours of joining the wider group this week. Mourinho, who managed the 34-year-old briefly at Internazionale, said: “The best suits are suits by measure. You go for a size that fits you. Same for players. No two players are the same.
“The decision on Zlatan is the consequence of many hours of study. He was out one match before the English guys. The body and mind is different. Even things you don’t have to know. Players prepare in a different way. We are trying to do suits by measure and be perfect for the person.”
Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has revealed he turned down a lucrative switch to Major League Soccer this summer after David Beckham, the former Manchester United and Real Madrid midfielder, enquired about his availability to join his Miami franchise.
“David is a good friend of mine, and he has asked me to play for his [Miami] team,” he said. “For now, I want to achieve big things with Manchester United, but I have a lot of respect for the MLS, and anything is possible. I am not ruling out the MLS," he added.”
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