Can catch up with Man City, says Ibra

been able to welcome back club record signing Pogba, who started against Newcastle, setting up an equaliser and scoring himself.

“IthinkwecanchaseCity,why is it not a possibility?” said Ibrahimovic.Weareallherebecause we want to win and we need to because they are first.

“I cantalk of whatPaul brings - big quality. Today it was like he hasn’t been injured for a month, he brings such big quality, a different quality andIbringexperience and mine.

“Itrytohelp the guysmuch as possible and do what I can.

“This week the manager has beenveryhappybecausehehasa full team for the first time this season and as a coach you want those opportunities andalterna- tives to make changes.

“I think there is a possibility forwinningeverything.Wewere earlyintoitlastyearandwontwo trophiesandwearestrongerthis season. We believe we can do it.”

Ibrahimovic’s comeback has beenremarkablyquick,giventhe seriousness of the injury and his age.Mourinhowasclearlymoved to see the 36-year-old back in action, a good month ahead of schedule.

Ibrahimovicrevealed the role his managerplayed in his recovery, not least in signing him to a new contract earlier this year while he was still recuperating.

“It’sfantastictobeplaying,”he said. “Jose said, ‘Do whatever you want, I trust in you and you know what you have to do,’ so I was not worried.

“Thecontractisallpaperwork and I do the physical work. Even if I had a contract or not I needed totrain,that’suptotheotherpeople,IknewIwouldstaybecauseI wanted to stay.

“The numbers have never beenanissue.Icouldhavesigned adealaftertwomonthsbutdidn’t becauseIamhonestwithmyself. I want to stay because I can perform.

“At the moment I am just thankfulIcanrunandpushitand play football again.

“I don’t know what the future brings but what happens happens. I am at the age where I can choose what I want to do.

“I don’t sign five or 10-year deals, I am just happy to be back playinganddoingwhatIamgood at,” he said.