Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed Jose Mourinho after claiming Manchester United manager does not accept failure.
Ahead of the derby clash with Manchester City, the United striker has revealed the similarities between his manager and himself. The 34-year-old has already lit up the league with three goals from as many matches and would want to prove a point to Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola, with whom he has had a frosty relationship in the past when both were in Barcelona.
The rivalry between the two Manchester clubs has grown intense after the arrivals of high-profile managers Mourinho and Guardiola, who have made big-budget transfers in the recently concluded summer transfer window. Striking an early blow would be in the minds of both the managers, who resume their long-standing rivalry in Manchester on Saturday.
Mourinho is expected to lead the United line with the 34-year-old Swede, whom he signed from Ligue 1 champions Paris-Saint Germain ahead of the ongoing season. The two forged a strong relationship during their time with Inter Milan during the 2008/09 Serie A season.
The ability to be direct with players sets the Portuguese tactician apart from the rest, according to the tall striker who is expected to steal the limelight in the big clash.
"I knew this coach from before. I know what he wants and what he demands. He is a winner and so am I. I will do everything to win and he thinks the same," Ibrahimovic told BBC.
"Wherever he went, he won. With Porto, he won the Champions League, nobody expected that. In a short time, he has a lot of success. You have coaches that build up and the club has a lot of patience.
"He is very direct with everyone. He does not go behind your back, he will tell you. If you're not good enough, you're not good enough.
"He does what he needs to do to win, and he will make sure he wins. Just like me, I don't accept to lose."
