Patrick Rees
Romelu Lukaku has finally opened up on what conversation he had had with Zlatan Ibrahimovic over swapping their shirt number.
Completing his £75million to Manchester United this summer, Lukaku was given the number 10 shirt following Rooney departure to Everton and soon after Ibrahimovic’s contract extension was confirmed, Lukaku changed his jersey number to 9. But before doing that, the Belgian has revealed that he asked the towering Swede’s permission.
“Yeah I did [call him about his shirt number] I didn’t want to tell him I wanted the number 9,” the former Everton forward was quoted by Daily Mirror.
“But I called Zlatan and asked him and he said that I could take the number 9 and he would take the number 10. But I said to him I’m looking forward to you coming back because I know that you don’t want to stop like this.”
Ibrahimovic was Manchester United’s No.9 last season and the Swede took the Premier League by storm and went on to score an impressive 17 goals before his season ended due to a serious knee injury. With that being done, United decided not to extend the 35-year-old’s contract, but allowed him to undergo rehabilitation at United’s training complex.
All this followed with the Swede getting linked with the likes of some Serie A and MLS sides, but he eventually ended up signing a new contract with the Devils. Speaking of Lukaku joining Manchester United, Ibra had earlier said that he was happy the Belgian chose Manchester United, and further went on to add that his arrival has made United a stronger unit.
“Yeah, yeah. I’m happy he came,” he told ESPN. “I think the team is much stronger this season than last season.
“The pressure you put to win the objectives you want to win and signing Lukaku makes us even stronger because he has different quality from me as a striker and Rashford as a striker. He is a powerful guy and will bring some extra quality in the game.”
The Swede has incredibly recovered from his knee injury and is well on course to make a grand return. Jose Mourinho, however, feels that the Swede should not rush into anything as the team wants him in his best possible condition.
“He doesn’t have to be emotional and he doesn’t have to try to make crazy things to improve [recover] quicker in his mind,” Mourinho was quoted by Express Sport.
“Because I know that his desire is to improve quicker. So, calm – [take things] step by step. We want him, but we want him in his best condition.”
I can’t wait to see Zlatan and Lukaku in action together! What’s your opinion?
