Former PSG assistant manager backs Zlatan Ibrahimovic to turn Manchester United into Champions again
Former Paris Saint-Germain assistant manager Paul Clement has backed Zlatan Ibrahimovic to turn his new teammates into champions at Manchester United. The 34-year-old completed his move to Old Trafford as he became Jose Mourinho's second summer addition after Eric Bailly. The Ivory Coast international moved to England from Villarreal earlier this summer.
Clement worked with the former Swedish international at Parc des Princes as he was Carlo Ancelotti's No 2. The former Derby boss will follow the Italian to his new club Bayern Munich.
He revealed the impact Ibrahimovic had on his teammates, when he was at the French club. The assistant manager admitted that it was the former Barcelona and Inter Milan striker along with the staff, who brought the winning mentality into the squad, which helped them in becoming the champions.
Also Read: 5 things Manchester United fans should expect from Zlatan Ibrahimovic
“Ibra is really good – he kept everyone on their toes, staff and players. He’s really good to work with, an unbelievable talent and very professional," Clement told The Mirror.
“I’ve really fond memories of that period. He has such a competitive drive and desire every day and I don’t think that Paris team and that culture there were used to that. They hadn’t seen anything like that before he arrived. I’d seen it at Chelsea, with John Terry, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard.
“I’d seen what a competitive environment is, day to day. At Paris, they hadn’t had that, but, with the help of the staff as well, Zlatan really pushed that on.”
Clement could be spot on here. The Swedish striker could be seen scoring goals regularly next season, especially with the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial playing behind him.
With the opposition defenders focusing mainly on Ibrahimovic, it could give other players like Martial, Mkhitaryan and even Rooney the space to find goals for United.
Their fierce attack for next season is likely to cause trouble for the opposition and with few more quality additions, Mourinho's United will be the firm title contenders, with Ibrahimovic and his manager's winning mentality.
Ibrahimovic has marketed himself well: Kaamark
Meanwhile, former Leicester City and Swedish international Pontus Kaamark admitted that he never envisaged to see him become one of the best players in the world.
“I couldn’t foresee he would be the best player Sweden has ever produced. One of the better players, for sure, but now there is no doubt he is clearly the best player ever," Kaamark explained.
“When he was still at Ajax, he was not mature and ready and you didn’t really know what you’d get. But the more time has passed, he has really matured and proved himself to be on the highest level.
“He has an entertainment value that is really big as well, he is a very strong character. He’s like the rest of the lads, to be honest, but he has created a really good image. He’s marketed himself well – and he has turned out to be an excellent player as well.”