Zlatan Ibrahimovic says 'lions don't recover like humans' after Man Utd return
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was back at Old Trafford as they brushed Newcastle aside
Zlatan Ibrahimovic said it was "special" to be back after making his first appearance for Manchester United in seven months.
The 36-year-old Swede has been sidelined since April after injuring his ACL in the Europa League match against Anderlecht.But he came on to a rousing reception as a 77th-minute substitute for Anthony Martial in the 4-1 win over Newcastle at Old Trafford.
Speaking after the game, the striker told BT Sport: "It feels special. Different day, same quality, so I'm not worried at all because I know what I'm doing.
"I train hard, sacrificed a lot and it's my head that's playing - my knees just need to follow - so I'm not worried at all. Was I worried about returning? No. Lions don't recover like humans."
The Swede was not the only player making a welcome return for Manchester United. Paul Pogba started the game after being out for 12 weeks with a hamstring injury, scoring one and setting up another as United came back from a goal down to win the match comfortably.
Speaking after the game, the striker told BT Sport: "It feels special. Different day, same quality, so I'm not worried at all because I know what I'm doing.
"I train hard, sacrificed a lot and it's my head that's playing - my knees just need to follow - so I'm not worried at all. Was I worried about returning? No. Lions don't recover like humans."
The Swede was not the only player making a welcome return for Manchester United. Paul Pogba started the game after being out for 12 weeks with a hamstring injury, scoring one and setting up another as United came back from a goal down to win the match comfortably.
Ibrahimovic, 36, made his triumphant Old Trafford comeback from a cruciate ligament op when he came on after 77 minutes.
And the Swedish hitman said: “This feels special. Different day, same quality.
“Was I worried about returning? No. Lions don’t recover like humans. I train hard, sacrifice a lot. I play in my head, my knee just needs to follow.
“It was not easy. Especially in my case because I was on top, I got injured and one day to another I could not do anything more. It was not like I went on vacation so it was not easy.”
Ibra was injured in April and thought that his United days were over.
But he signed a new deal in August and added: “As soon as I signed you start to focus on the team and you want to participate in the games, every game. Especially with my mentality.
“It’s about coming back and making a statement. I have been training a lot, training hard and I am here today.
"I am just thankful that I can play football again.”
And the Swedish hitman said: “This feels special. Different day, same quality.
“Was I worried about returning? No. Lions don’t recover like humans. I train hard, sacrifice a lot. I play in my head, my knee just needs to follow.
“It was not easy. Especially in my case because I was on top, I got injured and one day to another I could not do anything more. It was not like I went on vacation so it was not easy.”
Ibra was injured in April and thought that his United days were over.
But he signed a new deal in August and added: “As soon as I signed you start to focus on the team and you want to participate in the games, every game. Especially with my mentality.
“It’s about coming back and making a statement. I have been training a lot, training hard and I am here today.
"I am just thankful that I can play football again.”
Ibrahimovic has been out since April with knee ligament damage
Pogba, 24, was returning after missing 12 games with a hamstring injury.
He dedicated his first goal since August 19 to migrants in Libya being sold as slaves.
He tweeted: “While very happy to be back, my prayers go to those
suffering slavery in #Libya. May Allah be by your side and may this
cruelty come to an end!”
While very happy to be back, my prayers go to those suffering slavery in #Libya. May Allah be by your side and may this cruelty come to an end! pic.twitter.com/i4hxfX3CiB— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) November 18, 2017
Post a Comment