Jose Mourinho has claimed Manchester United supporters may be forced to plead with Zlatan ibrahimovic to extend his stay at Old Trafford by “going to his house and staying there all night.”
Ibrahimovic took his goal tally for the season to 26 in all competitions with two goals in United’s 3-2 EFL Cup final victory over Southampton at Wembley — his second being a dramatic late winner.
The 35-year-old signed a one-year contract at United following his free transfer arrival from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, with the option of another 12 months on the basis of performance-related clauses.
Ibrahimovic has now passed all of the targets set, but has yet to sign for another year.
And while Mourinho expects the Swede to remain at United, regardless of who the club sign this summer, he admits a push from the fans may also be worthwhile.
“I never beg,” Mourinho said. “But if needed, maybe United fans can go to his house and stay there all night. But we all believe he will stay one more season.
“Only a silly player comes to England at 35-years-old unless he feels he can do it. Who better to know than him? Not me, not you, but him. When he takes the decision to come to Manchester United, it’s because he feels he’s ready. It’s his credit, not my credit. It’s him — everything for him, nothing for me.”
Ibrahimovic has confounded the sceptics by scoring 26 goals in 38 appearances for United and remains the only player at Old Trafford to have hit double figures this season.
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