Zlatan wants focus in United’s ‘decisive moment’
ZLATAN Ibrahimovic has urged Manchester United to maintain focus for the “decisive moment” of their season after they took control of their Europa League last-32 tie against St Etienne.
The former Sweden striker scored a hat-trick to seal a 3-0 victory in the first leg at Old Trafford to leave United within touching distance of the last 16. The Red Devils face Blackburn in the FA Cup on Sunday before the return leg in France next Wednesday, which precedes the EFL Cup final against Southampton on February 26.
Jose Mourinho’s side are also chasing a top-four place in the Premier League and Ibrahimovic is keen to keep up the momentum after losing just once in 23 games.
Speaking to BT Sport, Ibrahimovic said: “We’re winning [but] in a short time everything can change so it’s important to keep working hard.
“We’re happy at the moment. This is the decisive moment – the second half of the season.
“We’re still in four [competitions], if we don’t win the Premier League we could get some other trophies.”
United survived a couple of early scares to take the lead on 15 minutes courtesy of Ibrahimovic’s deflected free-kick.
United doubled their when Ibrahimovic tapped home after fine work from sub Marcus Rashford, before the Swede dusted himself down to complete his first hat-trick for United with a penalty two minutes from time.
Meanhile, Mauricio Pochettino admits Tottenham have run into a “bad period” after they suffered a surprise defeat to Gent in their last-32 first leg in Belgium.
Jeremy Perbet’s secondhalf winner secured Gent a 1-0 victory and leaves Tottenham with work to do in next week’s second leg at Wembley.
“That is the reality. It sometimes happens,” Pochettino said. “Good and bad things happen. We’ve started a bad period. I hope we break that negative run.”