Search icon

Sport

21st Nov 2017

Jamie Carragher absolutely loved Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s instructions to Romelu Lukaku after coming on

"I think this is hilarious."

Darragh Murphy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic made it clear who was going to take up the centre-forward position when he returned to the pitch on Saturday evening.

Rather surprisingly to some, Ibrahimovic came on for Anthony Martial against Newcastle, rather than Romelu Lukaku, and supporters watched curiously to see who would lead the line.

Unsurprisingly to everyone, Ibrahimovic pulled rank and could be seen motioning for the Belgian international to move to the right wing.

And Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher bloody loved it.

“You watch him when he comes on, I think this is hilarious,” Carragher said on Monday Night Football. “I don’t know if Jose has told him to do this, but he comes on and tells Lukaku to go on the right wing, and he does it.”

Ibrahimovic made his comeback after being sidelined for more than six months with a serious knee injury and almost announced his return in dramatic style as an acrobatic bicycle kick came close.

But the Swedish legend couldn’t get on the scoresheet as United hammered Newcastle 4-1, with the goals coming from Lukaku, Martial, Paul Pogba and Chris Smalling.

Given how similar Ibrahimovic and Lukaku are, questions remain about whether they can play in the same side.

Carragher remains doubtful of how fruitful a strike partnership that would be.

“I don’t think they can play together as a front two,” Carragher said.

“I think that’s the most important goal in that 4-1 victory. Talking about Zlatan and the impact that might have on Manchester United, everyone says it is fantastic to have him back, and it is, to have a player of that quality.”