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Manchester United news: Jose Mourinho concerned by his side's dependence on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

The forward has managed seven goals in his last seven games, taking his total tally to 13 this campaign

Samuel Lovett
Wednesday 14 December 2016 21:50 GMT
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Ibrahimovic is United's top goal-scorer
Ibrahimovic is United's top goal-scorer (Getty)

Jose Mourinho has admitted that Manchester United have grown too dependent on striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede struggled for form throughout October as he went six games without a goal but after striking twice to help guide United to a 3-1 victory at Swansea, Ibrahimovic has once since re-established himself as the side’s leading man.

Indeed, the 35-year-old has managed seven goals in his last seven games, taking his total tally to 13 this campaign.

Although Ibrahimovic has compensated for the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney, all who have failed to deliver in recent weeks, Mourinho has expressed his concern that United have become too reliant on the former Barcelona striker.

“We need to score more goals,” Mourinho told BT Sport ahead of Wednesday’s match against Crystal Palace.

“We are living on Zlatan’s goals at the moment. Michael Owen doesn’t like him but the reality is he scored 17 goals in three years at Man United and Zlatan will have scored that many in just six months.”

This follows his admission that United are still aiming to clinch this season’s Premier League season, despite trailing league leaders Chelsea by 13 points.

“The aim is to be champions, that’s the destination,” he added.

“This season the distance is a considerable distance.

“Even if you have a good run of results, you are always depending upon what the others are doing.

“We are going to try, we are still in the fight.”

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