Updated at 11.26
MAN UNITED MANAGER Jose Mourinho says he would be happy for Zlatan Ibrahimovic and his family if the forward decides to leave Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic is in discussions with United over an extension to his stay at Old Trafford, having signed an initial one-year deal prior to the 2016-17 season.
The former Sweden captain has been a big success, scoring 26 goals in all competitions, including a match-winning double in the EFL Cup final against Southampton. While Mourinho is hoping to keep Ibrahimovic, he will hold no grudges if the 35-year-old opts to depart as the wait for the striker to decide whether to take up his option for a further season goes on.
I am just calm and waiting for the decision,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “If the decision is for him to stay and he is happy with that, we are delighted with that.
“If his decision is to leave and try to find a different challenge, I will be also happy for him.
He is [a big part of our success this season], but the human being is more important than the player and the team.
“If his decision is to leave and try to be happy with his family and have a different reality, so be it.”
LA Galaxy and Napoli have been among the clubs liked with Ibrahimovic, who is suspended for Saturday’s home Premier League game against West Brom.
Mourinho also says he is “totally against” international friendlies following injuries to key central defenders Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on England duty.
Mourinho expects to be without five first-team players against West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, including the injured Paul Pogba and suspended Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
“I am totally against the friendly matches,” Mourinho told Sky Sports, after Jones had to withdraw from the England squad with a toe injury suffered in a training ground clash with Smalling, who pulled out after sustaining a leg injury in the Germany friendly.
Both defenders missed England’s 2-0 World Cup qualifying win over Lithuania, leading Mourinho to question the need for friendlies during the season.
“I think friendly matches for the national team only make sense before the final phases,” he said.
A couple of weeks before the Euros or a couple of weeks before the World Cup makes sense. But mid-season friendly matches mixed with qualification matches, I don’t think that makes sense.
“On top of that the matches are not really big matches so I am not a big fan. But I think one day I will be there so I cannot be very critical.”
Mourinho, who had 13 players away on international duty, believes his side will be at a disadvantage when they resume Premier League action at Old Trafford this weekend.
If you compare our situation with our opponents, West Brom, only one player on international duty,” Mourinho told this week’s Soccer Saturday programme, underestimating the number of Baggies players who joined up with their national teams in the past fortnight.
“They had time to work, time to rest and prepare. It’s going to be hard.”
Additional reporting by AFP
The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!
