LION KING IBRA
Swede’s super human
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC said there was no doubt he would return to the big time – because lions don’t recover like humans.
The Swede received a standing ovation as he stepped on to the pitch at Old Trafford for the first time in seven months, following a cruciate ligament injury.
He came on as a 77th-minute substitute for Anthony Martial, roaring afterwards he gave
everything to return to action. Even Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho was moved by the 36-year-old’s reappearance, insisting he felt “emotional for the big guy”.
Ibrahimovic said: “I’m just thankful I’m playing again.
“I couldn’t do any more. I worked from one day to another. I’ve been training – and training hard.
“Now it feels special. But I wasn’t worried at all. Lions don’t recover like humans.
“Each day was different, but the quality was the same. My head was playing and my knee just needed to follow. But it’s not been easy because I’ve had a different summer to others. It has also not been easy because I was on top and I had to focus. It’s not like I went on vacation.
“I had to keep my mind on one objective. Not just coming back – but coming back good and making a statement.
“I’ve been training well and I’m here today. I’m pushing it.
“Now it’s over, we will go further. We want to go and get more.”
Mourinho paid tribute to the star after his side closed the gap on leaders Manchester City, who had extended their lead over their cross-city rivals with a 2-0 victory at Leicester.
Mourinho said: “It was a very emotional scene for all of us who have stayed close to him. It was such a dramatic injury.
“He suffered one of the worst injuries in football and it was great to see the big guy.”
But it was not all about Ibrahimovic.
After the final whistle, Mourinho admitted that Pogba’s absence had been just as keenly felt. Agreeing with a question that Pogba was “irreplaceable”, the Special One added: “Paul Pogba is different class - Paul and Nemanja Matic grew up together at the start of the season and are the engine of the team. “Today was entirely in Paul’s hands – how many minutes he played before he began to feel fatigued. It was a great performance from him.” Toon boss Rafa Benitez said he was pleased with the effort from Newcastle’s players. They started brightly before conceding twice, going into half-time, and failed in their attempt to play catch-up as the hosts hit cruise control.
He said: “It’s a simple analysis. A really good first 30 minutes.
“Everyone was working hard, we had a clear idea. We conceded a goal and then the second changed the mentality for us.
“When we conceded, it was a different game.
“When you pay big money for players, they can make the difference. And they did.”