Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo says that manager Jose Mourinho made clear to him from the start that he was part of his plans.
Rojo's position in the squad has been under scrutiny this season as Luke Shaw has stepped in again as first-choice left-back and Daley Blind has covered for him while absent.
The Argentina international is yet to play any football in the Premier League for United this season, but has featured twice in the Europa League, once in the EFL Cup and in the Community Shield.
"A lot had been said about how he [Mourinho] didn't want me," Rojo told ESPN Radio in Argentina. "But, from the first day that I arrived, he told me that he had me in mind and that he was counting on me.
"He is a very good and very demanding manager. I like the way he thinks and how he treats his players. I was pleasantly surprised. I have to keep working to earn more playing time on the field now, which is what I want."
Rojo also discussed Zlatan Ibrahinovic, saying that the United striker is less serious than he expected him to be.
"He's a character," he said. "We spend a lot of time together. He speaks Spanish and Italian and he is always joking around."