'My decision with Zlatan is down to hours of study'
Manchester United coach José Mourinho has defended his decision to let the club's new Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic take a longer summer break than his teammates.
Ibrahimovic is currently on holiday in the United States instead of training with the rest of the squad in China where they are set to clash against Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.
Although United's 25-man squad for the trip includes Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, David de Gea and Paddy McNair, who all exited Euro 2016 later than Ibrahimovic, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward was granted extra time off by Mourinho.
The Portuguese manager defended the decision on Thursday, saying that all players had to be assessed differently as to how much of a summer break they needed.
"The best suits are the suits by measure," he said. "That's better than going to a shop and buying a suit that might fit you or might not."
"The players are the same. No two are the same. My decision with Zlatan is down to hours of study of him, with my coaches. He was out [of Euro 2016] one match before the English guys. The body and mind is different. Players prepare in a different way," added Mourinho.
"I am trying to change the profile [of the team]. The striker is the easy one to finish the puzzle."
Ibrahimovic's absence in China is unlikely to slow the clamour to see United's glamour friendlies against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in Beijing on Monday.
His first United appearance is instead likely to come against Galatasaray in Gothenburg on July 30th.
The 35-year-old, who has hit 62 goals in 116 appearances for Sweden, retired from the national team after a miserable Euro 2016. Though selected in the initial 35-man Sweden squad to go to the Rio Olympics this August, he said he would not participate.
Comments
See Also
Ibrahimovic is currently on holiday in the United States instead of training with the rest of the squad in China where they are set to clash against Borussia Dortmund tomorrow.
Although United's 25-man squad for the trip includes Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Chris Smalling, David de Gea and Paddy McNair, who all exited Euro 2016 later than Ibrahimovic, the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward was granted extra time off by Mourinho.
The Portuguese manager defended the decision on Thursday, saying that all players had to be assessed differently as to how much of a summer break they needed.
"The best suits are the suits by measure," he said. "That's better than going to a shop and buying a suit that might fit you or might not."
"The players are the same. No two are the same. My decision with Zlatan is down to hours of study of him, with my coaches. He was out [of Euro 2016] one match before the English guys. The body and mind is different. Players prepare in a different way," added Mourinho.
"I am trying to change the profile [of the team]. The striker is the easy one to finish the puzzle."
Ibrahimovic's absence in China is unlikely to slow the clamour to see United's glamour friendlies against Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday and Pep Guardiola's Manchester City in Beijing on Monday.
His first United appearance is instead likely to come against Galatasaray in Gothenburg on July 30th.
The 35-year-old, who has hit 62 goals in 116 appearances for Sweden, retired from the national team after a miserable Euro 2016. Though selected in the initial 35-man Sweden squad to go to the Rio Olympics this August, he said he would not participate.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.