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FOOTBALL

Zlatan is the only one: Mourinho

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has performed so well that he has made himself virtually undroppable this season according to manager José Mourinho.

Zlatan is the only one: Mourinho
Zlatan Ibrahimovic and José Mourinho. Photo: AP Photo/Tim Ireland

The 35-year-old former Swedish international has found the net 14 times in all competitions for United this season after he joined from French champions Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer.

Ibrahimovic has also played in more matches than any of United's other strikers this season, featuring in 24 of their 26 games so far, and will start up front in the Premier League clash with in-form West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

“Is it almost impossible to leave him out? Yes, it is,” said Mourinho at the eve of match press conference on Friday. “As a striker he is in one of the impossible positions where you cannot hide.”

“He is phenomenal and plays again tomorrow and then one week to rest.”

“I am not surprised at all. I knew from the physical point of view he could resist but obviously he cannot play 60 matches.”

Mourinho, who enjoyed a good relationship with Ibrahimovic at Inter Milan when he was in charge there, said he would need to rest him but he was such an integral part of the side it was hard to omit him.

“I must give him a rest. I must leave him out a game,” said Mourinho.

“He was suspended against Arsenal. So that game he did not play.”

“In some matches in the Europa League he was on the bench, also against Northampton (in the EFL Cup).”

“So now and again I will find a way to give him a rest.”

“But as our target striker we can see he is the only one. And the way we normally play we need him.”

Mourinho said Ibrahimovic is also a great example to United's youngsters with the manner in which he conducts himself in matches and on the training ground.

“He is a great example in every aspect, he is very professional,” said the 53-year-old Portuguese.

“Great also with his family life and on keeping his family life the most positive and private.”

“He is a great example in everything and when you have him and Michael Carrick at 35 the kids could not have better examples.”

RACISM

VIDEO: Spain’s La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

Spain's La Liga on Monday said it was reviewing a video of a child making racist insults towards Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior during the 2-2 draw with Valencia at the weekend.

VIDEO: Spain's La Liga reviews video of boy racially abusing Vinicius

“We’re in the process of studying and analysing the facts from a legal standpoint to see what we can and should do,” La Liga sources said.

In a video published by a journalist for ESPN Brasil, and picked up by Spanish media, a boy sitting in a woman’s lap can be heard calling Vinicius a “monkey”.

The Brazilian scored twice for Madrid as his team recovered from two goals down at Mestalla on Saturday.

Vinicius raised his fist in a “Black Power” salute after the first of his two goals at a ground where he was racially abused last season. Valencia subsequently banned three people from the stadium for life.

The 23-year-old has become a symbol of the fight against discrimination in Spanish football after suffering racist abuse on many occasions, and he was jeered repeatedly by home supporters on Saturday.

Jude Bellingham was sent off after the final whistle against Valencia for protesting after the referee blew the final whistle right before the England midfielder headed home what he thought was the winning goal.

READ ALSO: Football star Vinicius highlights racist behaviour from Spanish fans

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