THE RACE IS ON
Fit-again Zlatan: We will hunt down City
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is ready to make his mark on the title race and help Manchester United chase down rivals City.
The 36-year-old striker (right) appeared for the first time in seven months against Newcastle on Saturday, coming on as a late substitute in the 4-1 win at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho’s secondplaced United sit eight points behind Manchester City in the Premier League. The clubs face each other on December 10.
‘I think we can chase them,’ said Ibrahimovic. ‘Why is it not a possibility? We are all here because we want to win and we need to, because they are first.
‘ There is a possibility for everything. We were early into it last year and won two trophies and we are stronger this season. So we believe we can do it — that’s the aim. To win and get the trophies.’
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC is back — and ready to change the course of the Premier League title race. Just seven months after suffering a horrendous knee injury that threatened to end his career, the 36-year-old made a 13-minute appearance as a substitute as Manchester United beat Newcastle. United’s victory means they are eight points behind neighbours and league leaders Manchester City but Pep Guardiola’s team travel across town on December 10 for what could be a definitive clash. Asked on Saturday if United could reel City in, Ibrahimovic said: ‘I think we can chase them. Why is it not a possibility? ‘We are all here because we want to win and we need to because they are first. ‘There is a possibility for everything. We were early into it last year and won two trophies and we are stronger this season. ‘So we believe we can do it — that’s the aim. To win and get the trophies.’ Nobody really expected to see Ibrahimovic back in a United shirt again when he fell to the ground clutching his knee against Anderlecht in mid-April. But the Swede has astonished everybody at Old Trafford with the speed and completeness of his recovery. After Saturday’s game, the former Inter, Barcelona and PSG player jokingly described himself as a ‘lion’ but was serious when he spoke of the hours of dedication required to resurrect his career. ‘In my recovery I have not rushed anything,’ he said. ‘I have been out for sixand-a-half months. I have been following protocol and my schedule day by day. The only secret has been working hard. Those close to me know what I have been doing — I was working five, six hours a day. ‘When it happened I said giving up was not an option. My only focus was on coming back and coming back better. I know it’s my head playing, not my knee. My knee has to follow. ‘With my experience and career I know what I have to do but I feel good, I have to be honest. ‘Today I am very proud of the moment, and for everyone around me because I wouldn’t have done it alone. ‘Thanks to the supporters for keeping me motivated, the coach who’s trusted me, the club that believes in me and my family obviously. They have all been key people. ‘It was an amazing reaction from fans but I felt it from day one. ‘From the first step in the warm-up, with people singing and cheering for you, it’s what keeps you going. ‘This was not a one-man work, it was everyone’s and thanks to them that I am back on field and can play because if people knew the real injury they would be in shock that I was even playing. It was more than the knee, but I will keep it personal — that’s why I choose not to talk of it.’ Ibrahimovic was joined on the field by Paul Pogba on Saturday as the midfielder returned from a hamstring injury to play a key role in United’s victory. Pogba created the equaliser after Newcastle had taken the lead and he scored the crucial third goal. But Newcastle manager Rafael Benitez believes Pogba has some way to go before he can be considered a great of the game like former Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard. Benitez said: ‘Stevie was a top-class player for many years. He was consistent and could make the difference in every game, with or without the ball. ‘Pogba is a great player, but he still has to be consistent for years like Stevie was for 10 or 15 years.’