Jose Mourinho replies when asked if Man United star can play alongside Romelu Lukaku
The Manchester United manager believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku can start together in the same team
Jose Mourinho believes he can start Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku in the same Manchester United team.
The Red Devils crashed out of the League Cup on Wednesday night after Bristol City lost 2-1 to Manchester United in the quarter-final at Ashton Gate.
The one positive for Mourinho was Ibrahimovic’s first goal since his serious knee problem during Manchester United’s Europa League last-eight clash back in April.
Ibrahimovic has been used as an impact substitute in the 2017-18 season so far, but Mourinho has hinted the 36-year-old could start against Leicester City on Saturday night.
Manchester United signed Lukaku in a £75m deal from Premier League rivals Everton in the summer transfer window to improve their attacking options.
The 24-year-old has scored 10 times in 17 games in the English top flight but hasn’t started alongside Ibrahimovic in the same Manchester United XI.
Asked about the possibility of Ibrahimovic starting in a number 10 role behind Lukaku, Mourinho told a news conference on Friday: “He played there last match in the period in the second half, when Lukaku played No 9 and Zlatan played No 10.
“I know that was a period where his energy was going down but obviously there are spaces where a No 10 plays, and where Ibrahimovic – even when he was No 9 – [there are] spaces where he feels comfortable to play, so yes why not?”
Ibrahimovic scored 28 times in all competitions last season to help the Red Devils win the Europa League and the EFL Cup.
The former Sweden international scored either side of half-time to help Manchester United ease to a 3-2 win over Southampton at Wembley.
