Herrera confident Ibracan defy odds over cruciate blow
ANDER HERRERA has “no doubt” Zlatan Ibrahimovic will recover from a knee injury so serious that some have suggested it could force the Manchester United striker into retirement.
The outspoken 35-yearold has made quite the impression since arriving at Old Trafford last summer, scoring the Wembley winners in both the Community Shield and EFL Cup Final.
Ibrahimovic has likened himself to Benjamin Button, the fictional character who ages backwards, after his 28th goal of the season – but now there are concerns time is against him.
The striker sustained significant knee ligament damage in Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final win against Anderlecht and figures at United reportedly fear he may never play again.
Ibrahimovic says “giving up is not an option” and vowed to come back even stronger on Sunday evening – the kind of reaction United team-mate Herrera expected.
“Of course he can get back,” Herrera said without hesitation. “First because he is privileged physically. His physique, his body is one of the best I have ever seen so I think it will be easier for him to get back than others.
“But of course he is 35, he will have to work very, very hard, be very patient.
“But I have no doubt he will be back because he loves football, he loves to win, he loves to score goals.
“He loves to train every day. Every day he wants to win, every box, every football tennis, everything in training, so I have no doubt he will be back.”
A cruel twist of fate saw United team-mate Marcos Rojo also sustain knee ligament damage in the same game as Ibrahimovic.
The duo’s absence will be keenly felt as United continue to push for Europa League glory and a top-four finish, but did not i mpact Jose Mourinho’s 2-0 win at Burnley.
A string of changes did not throw United off kilter at Turf Moor, where Wayne Rooney and An- thony Martial stepped up to close the gap on fourthplaced Manchester City to a point ahead of Thursday’s derby.
“It is very important that not only the strikers who are playing more minutes to score but everyone who plays has to give some goals,” Herrera said of Martial and Rooney.
“They did a fantastic job. It was the first game Anthony has played as striker this season and he was fantastic.
“He held the ball up, he gave solutions for the team and scored a fantastic goal.”