Zlatan Ibrahimovic eyes Manchester United title success as he strikes 20th goal to near his own target
Ibrahimovic would not confirm what his goal target is but hinted that he is getting close to it after scoring his 20th goal of the season in Sunday's 3-0 victory over Leicester City
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.There can be no disputing Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s willingness to back up so many of his assertive words with equally assertive action. Despite hitting his 20th goal of the season in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, and despite saying he was aware of the doubts over whether he would get even close to that as a player coming to the Premier League for the first time as a 34-year-old, he was always aiming - and planning - to score more than that.
Ibrahimovic has revealed that his personal target is higher than 20. While refusing to reveal exactly what that is, the striker intimated that he is close - and that he still thinks United can win the title.
“I still produce and do my best and I get a lot of help from my team mates,” Ibrahimovic said of hitting the 20-goal landmark. “I know there were many people who said I wouldn't even score 20 but that is nothing I focus on. For me, the main objective is to help my team win and do their best and afterwards we see what happens.
“We have some games left so hopefully I will get more.
“I have a target in my head but I will not say it! I am not there yet. But I have a target and it is something I have been doing never year and it is nothing new for me. I keep producing. I have 20 goals and seven assists. The statistic is in reach like it has been before in other years, except for last year which was a crazy year!
“Everything motivates me, all the targets, all the other critics, all the atmosphere coming to Premier League and bringing more followers to the Premier League. Yes, I feel good, I feel good.”
Ibrahimovic also admitted that United have been their “own enemy” in the race for the title and top four, believing that the table - and their season - could look completely different had they not been so profligate in so many games. He insisted, however, that they are “back in the hunt” after cutting the gap to fourth to two points. Not just in terms of the Champions League places, though. Also the title itself.
“We have missed a couple of games by not winning them. If we had won them the situation would have been totally different. We are working hard and we really want to reach the top four and the Champions League. To be champions it will be hard but this is our aim and we don't give up.
“I think we are back in the hunt. It was a big gap couple of months ago but it is smaller now. We have been our own enemy. If we had won our games and get the points we should have got the situation would have been totally different but okay now we look at other teams and hope they lose points.”
Of the win against Leicester, Ibrahimovic was most pleased with the confidence United showed going forward.
“It was a great win. Away against the champions from last year I think we played a good first half. When we got the first goal we got more confident and started to play. Then it became much easier and we scored a second quickly and then a third.
“All the goals were within ten minutes so that was good. It was a good performance.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments