Zlatan Ibrahimovic was always going to make “massive contribution” to Manchester United, according to manager Jose Mourinho.
Despite question marks over his age — he turns 36 in October — the Swedish striker has consistently delivered for United.
He came off the bench to score a 75th-minute winner as the Red Devils prevailed over second-tier Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup to earn a quarterfinal tie at Chelsea.
“I don’t know the number of goals [Ibrahimovic has scored], I don’t know,” Mourinho told a media conference.
“I knew that he would be a very important player for us. I knew that for sure.
“One more goal, one less goal, but I knew that the contribution would be massive for us.”
Ibrahimovic’s heroics at Ewood Park came after Marcus Rashford had cancelled out Danny Graham’s opener for Blackburn.
The ex-Barcelona and Inter Milan forward has now scored five goals in his past four games, with a total of 24 in all competitions this season.
Man United will travel to France later this week ahead of their UEFA Europa League Round of 32 tie against St. Etienne on Thursday. They hold a 3-0 lead from the first leg.
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