On last Friday, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho revealed his desire to keep his two strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney next season. With a superb first year at Old Trafford, the Swedish striker is coming to the end of the contract. Having landed last summer as a free-agent from French Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain, the Swedish signed an exceptional first season at Manchester United with 26 goals in 38 games, including decisive achievements in the Community Shield and League Cup. At the end of the contract in June, Ibrahimovic has an extra year in option.
“I see him staying with us because it was the initial agreement to come to us a year, plus an optional year. I think he will stay with us,” Mourinho told media during a press conference on Friday.
“He succeeds an amazing year. For good or bad, I only want players who want to stay 100% with us. I think he’s really proud of himself. He is happy with his situation and success, and I see him staying with us.
Obviously, the Portuguese has a good chance of seeing his wish fulfilled. Indeed, the former Parisian denied this week link his future to a possible qualification in the Champions League. Relying on a close friend, the Daily Mail even indicated that Ibrahimovic is so fond of Old Trafford that he would like to stay until 2019, at 37.
On the other hand, the situation seems less obvious to Wayne Rooney. Now a simple substitute, the versatile 31-year-old striker made the choice to stay at the club in February despite the golden bridge proposed by Chinese teams. Even though his contract runs until June 2019, the English international is regularly sent to Everton, his club trainer, at the end of the season. As a result, Mourinho is less affirmative about him.
Jose Mourinho says he wants to keep Rooney and Ibrahimovic at Old Trafford in the next season. (Source:www.mirror.co.uk)
“Next season, I assure you that I would like him to be with us. But I can not give you the guarantee, since the opinion of the player is always important. I’m the type of manager who likes his players to be happy,” the former Real Madrid coach said.
Manchester United are still on an impressive series of 6 consecutive victories in all competitions, including one in the League Cup, before drawing a 1-1 against Bournemouth on last Saturday in the Premier League. On this March 10, they will travel to Russia to face FK Rostov in the first leg of round 16 Europa League game.
