Rene Meulensteen believes former Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wouldn’t have signed Zlatan Ibrahimovic for the Red Devils.
Meulensteen, who served as Ferguson’s right-hand, bases his opinion on the Scots steadfast belief in youth development.
There is a belief Ibrahimovic’s arrival could have an impact on the emerging Marcus Rashford – who has become one of Man United’s best players in 2016.
“Maybe nine times out of ten he would not have made a decision like this,” the Dutchman said told the Sun about the Red Devils signing Ibrahimovic.
“That is because of everything that Alex Ferguson wanted to do with youngsters — bring them through and improve them as players.
“But if he felt the situation was there for the one time out of ten, he would do it. Like bringing in Laurent Blanc, a player in his 30s, after Jaap Stam left.
“It’s a similar scenario.”
Ibrahimović and Mourinho previously enjoyed a championship-winning campaign together before at Inter Milan in 2008/09.
During that campaign, Ibrahimovic scored 25 goals in 35 Serie A matches, his best in an Inter shirt, before leaving for Barcelona the following summer.
However, both have remained in each other’s thoughts and exchanged pleasantries over the years.
Playing in England has long been in the 35-year-old’s mind, adding the Premier League trophy to his vast collection is likely to be a driving force behind his long-awaited arrival.
A champion in four different countries, winning a league in nine of his past ten seasons, Ibrahimovic has come to be a lucky charm for those who employee him.
It remains to be see whether United, who are rebuilding after a disappointing league campaign under Louis van Gaal last season, can become the seventh club he’s triumphed at.
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