Manchester United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic is only getting better with age, claims former boss Carlo Ancelotti
Ex-Paris Saint-Germain chief insists Swedish striker will silence doubters who believe he is past his best next season
MANCHESTER UNITED target Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been backed to silence doubters who believe he is too old.
The Swedish superstar is expected set to join Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford when his contract at Paris Saint-Germain ends this month.
Some have suggested the veteran striker, 34, is past his best but former boss Carlo Ancelotti dismissed those claims.
Bayern Munich chief Ancelotti - who has been linked with a move for Ibrahimovic - wrote in The Telegraph: "Different players operate in different ways and Ibra knows that he has to conserve himself for the big moments.
"He can play in very tight spaces and his physique means that he can move defenders around too.
"I know that he is 34 years old but anyone who has ever worked closely with footballers – and knows a thing or two about their fitness and their stamina – can see that Ibra is not your typical 34-year-old.
"When he says that he is getting better, he means it. He’s certainly better than any 34-year-old footballer I know."
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Ibrahimovic bagged 50 goals in all competitions in his final season in Paris as he inspired PSG to a fourth straight Ligue 1 title.
Italy stopper Gianluigi Buffon admits his side are worried about containing him this afternoon.
Italian Newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport even mocked up a photo of Ibra being tied down in a nod to Jonathan Swift novel Gulliver's Travels.
Ibrahimovic himself has addressed the issue earlier this month when he said: "I feel I am getting better and better with every year that passes.
"I have been dominating wherever I go. I have no issue about that.
"I am very confident. I go into the tournament with a strong season behind me and I am here in France, where I have been living for the last few years, to enjoy.
"What I do every day is play football. You have to have the hunger to become a better player, to learn new things and work hard on the pitch.
"If you want it, you are able to do it. I know what I want and I know I am going to do it – the legend can still deliver."
Ibrahimovic set up the equaliser as Sweden drew their Euro 2016 opener against Ireland, while today's opponents Italy beat Belgium 2-0.
