Manchester United attacker Anthony Martial has hailed summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as his role model at the club
In a recent interview with MUTV, Anthony Martial has saluted the impact Swedish attacker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as had in the dressing room at Manchester United. The 35-year-old joined on a free in the summer, and has already bagged 16 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils in his first season in England.
“He is a top player and we can’t help but learn from just being alongside him, playing and training with him, seeing what he is doing now and what he has done in the past,” Martial said.
“In spite of his age, he has been a tremendous help to our side; he is doing loads for us. Let’s hope his form can continue because that is going to help us to climb the table, which is our goal,” added the Frenchman.
Ibrahimovic brought with him a certain aura of superiority when he walked through the doors in the month of June. There was a lot of speculation surrounding the striker’s future, but the presence of Jose Mourinho at the helm was enough to convince him to pick the Manchester outfit.
The former Chelsea boss decided to sign the 35-year-old not only because of his presence on the field, but also his influence off it. Mourinho believed that Zlatan’s winning mentality would be all that the club needed to turn around their fortunes.
After being in doldrums for the past three seasons, United needed a change in the brand of football and they have certainly got that under Mourinho’s reign. While their league position may not make for good reading, there is an attacking intent about the Red Devils, and they have managed to regain the support of the Old Trafford faithful.
While most players at the club are having exceptional seasons, Martial is struggling for game time. He has fallen down the pecking order and has been asked by Mourinho to step his game. The French international has admitted to being frustrated of his treatment as a fringe player, but expects that fortunes will turn around for him and he will once again be a key part of the manager’s plans.