Football
Arindam Rej, Man United Correspondent 8y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic can be Man United's new Robin van Persie - Robson

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could become another Robin van Persie for Manchester United and take the pressure off Wayne Rooney, according to Bryan Robson.

Ibrahimovic, 34, will train with his new teammates for the first time this week since joining the club as a free agent.

The striker's age has been a talking point but former United captain Robson gave a reminder that Van Persie's age was also questioned when the Dutchman signed for the club in 2012.

Van Persie, however, was 29 at the start of his first season with the club, in which United won their last Premier League title. 

Robson told MUTV: "Zlatan is 34 and it would have been nice to get him at 28 or 29, something like that, but the way he played for PSG last year showed he has a lot to offer still and he looks really fit.

"I think back to Sir Alex's last year [2012-13] when everybody talked about Robin van Persie's age and his injuries when he joined, but he won us the title with his goals that season. Hopefully Zlatan can do the same.

"He will take the pressure off Wayne Rooney as well. Every time we've had a bad result the excuse is that Wayne didn't play particularly well. The pressure has always been on him to perform and Zlatan will take that away from Wayne a wee bit, so Wayne can relax and enjoy his game."

Robson added: "Zlatan gave a great interview when the reporter told him that he'd previously described himself as 10 out of 10 and asked how he would rate himself now. Zlatan said 11 out of 10."

Rooney told a Facebook Q&A on Sunday that Ibrahimovic is a "huge character" and he is looking forward to working with the Swede.

Another former United player, Park Ji-Sung, said that the Ibrahimovic's personality can help the club. The Korean said: "I think the club needs a big character like him. He can influence the players and particularly the young players."

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