LONDON: Zlatan Ibrahimovic proved his hunger for silverware has not diminished with age as the Swede sealed the first major silverware of Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United reign and broke Southampton’s hearts by powering in a late header to clinch a dramatic 3-2 win in an absorbing League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.
After a stirring Saints fightback revived memories of their shock 1976 FA Cup final victory over United and with extra time looming, the 35-year-old Ibrahimovic pounced to head Ander Herrera’s cross past goalkeeper Fraser Forster.
It was Ibrahimovic’s second goal in the final after putting United ahead from a sublime first-half free kick, taking the 35-year-old Swede’s tally to 26 goals in an incredible first season at United where his performances have more than lived up to the swagger.
That bravado was flaunted on the Wembley pitch amid the celebrations.
Asked by a television reporter if something special was unfolding at United, Ibrahimovic replied: “I came. That’s special.”
Ibrahimovic was one of Mourinho’s marquee signings in the close-season and he repaid his manager’s faith with a typically dominant display on the big occasion.
It ensured Mourinho became the first manager in United history to win a trophy in his first season at Old Trafford, adding to his three League Cup triumphs with Chelsea to put him alongside former United manager Alex Ferguson and Nottingham Forest great Brian Clough as the most successful managers in the competition.
“[It] is quite a sense of relief,” the 54-year-old Mourinho said after collecting the 19th major trophy of his glittering career.
United’s fragile defense, though, nearly contrived to throw away the chance of glory.