Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has praised his new teammate Zlatan Ibrahimovic by claiming the Swede is “great” to play alongside, per the club's official website.
Rooney and Ibrahimovic were both on the scoresheet as United opened their Premier League campaign with a 3-1 victory against Bournemouth on Sunday, and the pair might even have scored more than just the one each as well.
Ibrahimovic a good partner for Rooney
The duo linked up well during the triumph at the Vitality Stadium, with one outstanding Ibrahimovic flick which found Rooney early in the second half perhaps the highlight of the strike partnership’s combination play on the day.
The United captain couldn’t score from that chance but was still appreciative of Ibrahimovic’s qualities, saying the Swede is “obviously a top-quality player” and that it is “always great to play with him.”
Rooney played behind Ibrahimovic in an attacking midfield role against Bournemouth, and the Englishman seemed to acknowledge that’s where he would remain with the Swede in the side. He said: “I just have to move off him and try to get to into the pockets of space that are available.”
The Red Devils’ talisman claimed Ibrahimovic “was unlucky with his free-kick” and that his goal was a “good strike”. Rooney also offered some encouragement for the Swede, adding: “I’ve no doubt he’ll continue to score for us.”
Southampton up next for United
Both Rooney and Ibrahimovic would have been satisfied to score and win in Sunday’s clash against Bournemouth, but their focus will now turn to Friday’s encounter with Southampton.
That will be Jose Mourinho’s first competitive game in charge at Old Trafford as United will look to make it two wins out of two when Claude Puel’s side are welcomed to Manchester.
The new Saints boss led his team to a 1-1 draw against Watford at the St. Mary’s Stadium on Saturday and will surely provide a tough test for the Red Devils on Friday night.