UNITED SPECIAL Zlatan tells the ball boys to ‘take it easy’
JOSE Mourinho claims Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped United to win the Europa League final by advising the ball boys to ‘take it easy’.
Ibrahimovic was one of four United players watching on from the sidelines on crutches as United won the Europa League for the first time in their history in Stockholm.
Sweden legend Ibrahimovic, sidelined after suffering a knee injury, arrived at the Friends Arena in a golf buggy but still played an influential part in the win, according to the United manager. The suspended Eric Bailly and injured Marcos Rojo were constantly on their feet behind the dugout and Mourinho revealed he urged United’s unavailable players to contribute from the stand.
“I think it’s so unfair what happened to him,” Mourinho said of Ibrahimovic’s lay-off. “Sometimes football is unfair.
“This night would be an amazing night if he was on the pitch, in his hometown, in the stadium where his statue will be, his first club when he left Sweden, his actual club in Manchester United, a season where he made an amazing impact. I’m really sorry Zlatan has not played this final.
“But he played. He played outside with crutches with the other guys, Marcos Rojo, Luke Shaw, Ashley Young, Eric Bailly – they were playing behind the bench shouting. And on top of it, Zlatan in Swedish told the ball boys in the second-half to take it easy, so even outside he was playing for us.
“So I am so pleased he finally gets a European trophy.” JOSE Mourinho might be the Unconventional One – but to take United forward he has to earn a new moniker. The Reds boss is a maverick at times. While the United party were decked out in their grey suits, waistcoats and ties in Stockholm the Portuguese coach was in his black zipped-up top.
He almost broke a flag pole attempting to plant a United flag into the turf at the Friends Arena.
He ended up in a heap on the floor when he couldn’t catch hold of his son, who came flying at him in celebration at the final whistle of United’s 2-0 Europa League triumph against Ajax.
He missed United’s traditional end of season lap of honour against Crystal Palace last Sunday.
But that’s what you get with Mourinho.
This is the guy who threw his Premier League medal into the crowd at Stamford Bridge when he won the crown for Chelsea in 2006. He is unorthodox. He is already a serial winner with United with an EFL Trophy and the Europa League already delivered.
But to take United to the next level, challenge to the last kick in the title race and make an impact again on the Champions League, he needs to add