Great to see.
Despite Victor Lindelöf’s latest blunder in a Manchester United jersey, the Old Trafford faithful were treated to an exciting display of attacking football against Newcastle and the returning Paul Pogba was at the heart of it.
After falling behind to Dwight Gayle’s opener, goals from Anthony Martial, Chris Smalling, Pogba and Romelu Lukaku secured a comfortable 4-1 win against the Magpies.
Since Pogba injured his hamstring in United’s Champions League group opener against Basel, there’s no denying that Mourinho’s men haven’t matched the standards that they set during the opening weeks of the Premier League season.
Granted, Pogba missed tougher games against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool, but the Frenchman’s absence has been visible – simply put, he’s an instrumental part of how Mourinho sets up United to play.
His stats against Newcastle speak for themselves. 82 touches, 64 passes, 7 balls gained, 4 aerial duels won, 2 key passes, 2 shots, 1 assist and most importantly, 1 goal. #PogBack, eh?
This being said, the Frenchman wasn’t the only returning hero for the Stretford End to cheer because Zlatan Ibrahimovic received a rapturous applause when he replaced Anthony Martial in the 77th minute.
The Swedish striker has had to endure his own injury hell after he sustained a serious ACL knee injury during their 2-1 Europa League win over Anderlecht in April.
With United about to enter a busy Christmas period, we’ve no doubt that Jose Mourinho will be absolutely delighted to see two of his key men returning to fitness and in typical Zlatan fashion, he had his own unique insight into why his recovery went so well.
Manchester United fans are delighted to see both men back in action.
"Lions, they don't recover like humans."
"We're doing the lions thing again, yeah?"
😂😂😂@DesKellyBTS with Zlatan and Pogba 🎙 pic.twitter.com/PEvBMttIUI
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 18, 2017
"Lions don't recover like humans" 😂😂😂. Zlatan & Paul Pogba spoke to Des after their side's win at Old Trafford. #MUNNEW pic.twitter.com/C5JrccohRs
— eir Sport (@eirSport) November 18, 2017
Love Zlatan. He just spoke to us…
“Humans don’t recover like Lions. I am not worried…it was a different day…but same quality. My brain plays, my knee just follows…”
— Jake Humphrey (@mrjakehumphrey) November 18, 2017
Zlatan: "Different day same quality I’m not worried.
"I know what I do. It’s my head that’s playing my knee just needs to follow.
"Lions don’t recover like humans." #mufc pic.twitter.com/MJuuhzRW3B— Charlotte Duncker (@CharDuncker) November 18, 2017
Zlatan Ibrahimovic on whether he had doubts on returning after 7 months out: “No, because lions don’t recover like humans.”
— Deji Faremi (@deejayfaremi) November 18, 2017
36 years old.
Ruptured his ACL.
Many saying his career was over.
Makes his comeback on one of the biggest stages in football after just 212 days.
Attempts an acrobatic kick.“Lions don’t compare themselves to humans”
👑 Zlatan Ibrahimovic. #MUFC pic.twitter.com/y2QQ4uMDLc
— BusbyBulletin (@BusbyBulletin) November 18, 2017
