France international Paul Pogba insists that Zlatan Ibrahimovic still has a huge influence at Manchester United despite being released from the club earlier last month.
The 35-year-old is currently recuperating from a cruciate ligament damage which curtailed his season in April. The Sweden international had an additional year on his existing deal, but United opted against the clause with the Swede unlikely to return until the festive period.
United boss Jose Mourinho has previously hinted that Ibrahimovic could earn himself a short-term contract on his recovery, and Pogba is delighted to work alongside the Swede, who has been undergoing his rehabilitation at the club’s Carrington base.
He said: “Obviously Zlatan is a leader, always a big leader, and he’s still a big leader because he’s still in the team. Even though he’s not playing he’s a leader outside of the pitch. Pogba is keen to develop more of the leadership qualities displayed by the likes of Ibrahimovic and United stalwart Michael Carrick.”
Pogba returned to Old Trafford last summer following four successful seasons with Juventus, and he is hoping to become the leader of the pack in the future, he added: “I’ve been playing for one season, I came here to hopefully be a leader as well in the team. I can learn from him [Ibrahimovic], from Carrick, from all the players and become a leader.”
Manchester United have not won the Premier League in the past four seasons, and Pogba is keen to take the club back to their olden days after having lifted the Community Shield, EFL Cup and Europa League on his United comeback.
The Red Devils will get their chance to bag further glory in the upcoming campaign when they take on Real Madrid in the Super Cup on August 8. Jose Mourinho has managed to add the likes of Romelu Lukaku and Victor Lindelof in his ranks, but he is said to at least two more signings before next month’s Premier League opener.