Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has admitted that striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been "phenomenal" since joining the club and that he is not surprised by the Swede's impact on the team.
The forward joined United on a free last summer having enjoyed a medal laden spell in France with Ligue 1 championsPSG. Many thought that at 35, the Swede would be unable to replicate his impressive goalscoring form that has helped him become recognised as a world class player.
Jose Mourinho explains why @Ibra_official is the perfect role model for #MUFC's younger players: https://t.co/L5rMmPsSBb pic.twitter.com/SMVTFD7737
However, Ibrahimovic has defied his age and proven doubters wrong by scoring 14 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils and recently scored a late winner in their 2-1 victory at Crystal Palace.
Speaking ahead of United's trip to West Brom on Saturday evening, his manager has lavished praise on the striker and admitted that although he may be in need of a rest, it was almost impossible to leave him out of the side.
When asked during his press conference if it was difficult to drop Ibrahimovic, Mourinho replied (as quoted by theBelfast Telegraph):"It is, it is.
"But (Saturday) is the last effort and then they will have a week without football and that week is a week that my players they need, especially a guy like him, a striker.
"Sometimes in other positions you can hide yourself a little bit more, you can protect yourself with experience, with position.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored 14 goals in 24 games since signing for Manchester United. #MUFC #ZlatanTime pic.twitter.com/ooPjLOREa2
"As a striker, I think it's one of the impossible positions where you can hide.He is doing phenomenal. (Saturday) he is going to play again, then one week to rest."
The United boss then revealedhis thoughts on how he felt Ibrahimovic had settled into life in the Premier League and was asked if he has been surprised by the Swede's immediate impact on the team.
"I am not surprised. I am not surprised at all," the Portuguese said of Ibrahimovic's impact.
"I knew even by the physical point of view he could resist, but obviously he cannot play 60 matches. I must give him a rest.
"I must let him out again. He was suspended against Arsenal so that game he didn't play.
"In some matches in the Europa League he was on the bench. He was on the bench also against Northampton, so now and again I will find a way to give him a rest.