|
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has likened himself to Benjamin Button, saying he "was born old and will die young," after scoring in Manchester United's 3-0 win over Sunderland. Ibrahimovic opened the scoring for United at the Stadium of Light on Sunday, with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Marcus Rashford also adding to the goals against a Sunderland side that lost Sebastian Larsson to a red card in the first half. With Ibrahimovic now up to 17 Premier League goals for the season at the age of 35, the former Sweden international said he feels like the movie character Benjamin Button, who ages in reverse. "I train hard, I believe in myself and I know what I am able to do," he told Sky Sports. "I'm not worried. The older you are, the more experienced, the more intelligent and you don't waste energy on things you don't need. I feel like Benjamin Button. I was born old and will die young." United's victory over Sunderland moves them up to fifth in the table, four points off fourth-placed Manchester City. "Today was a good win and we have to keep focus and keep working and keep believing we can reach the top four," Ibrahimovic added. "We believe in it and we will do everything we can to reach the top four. "At the end the best team will win so the game was good and we got the 1-0 and the red card. I couldn't see if it was a red card or not but he gave it and then we played with one more. Sometimes it's more difficult but sometimes it gives you the advantage because you have one more." Ibrahimovic's Benjamin Button comments were put to United manager Jose Mourinho in his postmatch news conference. "He was very good,'' Mourinho said. "Physically he showed, of course, amazing conditions and Thursday [against Anderlecht in the Europa League] he will be there again. "So I agree that by the physical point of view the guy is showing all season no problems. The only moment where he stopped was because of a three-match ban. Apart from that, he is playing all the time and looking very fit.''
|
