Mourinho is trying to force Shaw, Smalling out of United – Walker

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has apologised to Manchester United after picking up a booking that will keep him out of the clash with Arsenal.

And Ibrahimovic told MUTV: “You know what?” Asked if the pair are “a bit flaky”, Southgate told reporters at England’s St George’s Park training base: “I don’t know Chris well”.

He added he had not registered why he was booked as he was “too exhausted and did not hear (the referee)”.

“It is what it is”. Like he was saying; ‘Look I’m doing my best but these players just don’t want to put the effort in.’ Such a claim would be fine were they the root cause of the problems United face this season. When a big game comes along they won’t be considered, because he’s clearly trying to get them out of the club I think.

Mourinho added; “I would love Michael to play every game, but that is not possible”.

However, after the game Mourinho stated: “He’s a great player for the team”.

Mancherster United manager Jose Mourinho has stated that it “doesn’t matter” if Zlatan Ibrahimovic scores or not.

And, with experience of playing behind a stellar lineup that included the likes of Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Roy Keane, maybe Mourinho should take note of the advice the Dane handed out during United’s Sunday fixture.

While the goals haven’t been flowing too frequently for the mercurial forward lately, manager Jose Mourinho said Ibrahimovic has been assuming a key role for United.

This weekend’s Premier League match against Swansea City offered the best hope yet that maybe the team has found a solution for unlocking Pogba’s shackled abilities. “I was fit enough to play and the gaffer picked me”. We can not take solace from playing a little better in the second half. The first half (when United scored all three of their goals) was unbelievable.

“Of course we needed to win and that’s what we did – we need to carry on in this way now”. We went to play Swansea with a need to recover once again after a negative result during the week, as we showed from the kick-off.