Mourinho laments Ibrahimovic’s ‘sad’ exit from Europe

JoseMourinho has paid tribute to Zlatan Ibrahimovic by declaring hisdeparture from Manchester United a “sad” moment for European football.Theformer Paris Saint-Germain striker secured a move to Major LeagueSoccer side LA Galaxy last week after United agreed to cancel hiscontract three months early.Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in his firstseason at Old Trafford, but struggled to recapture his best form aftersuffering cruciate knee ligament damage during a Europa Leaguequarter-final against Anderlecht last April.The 36-year-old Swedemanaged only one goal for United after making his comeback in November,with his final appearance for the club against Burnley on Boxing Day.“Forme, it’s always sad when the big players go in the direction of theend,” United manager Mourinho told a news conference yesterday.“I remember for example Luis Figo, after his last match, with me and with Inter Milan.“Ialways remember it as one of my saddest moments because I always feelvery, very sorry when the big ones finish or go to the last period oftheir careers.“Zlatan is a huge big player that European football is losing now and forever because he will not be back to this level.”However, Mourinho added: “This period with Galaxy, these couple of years, will be very good for him and American football.” Shaw option Meanwhile Mourinho indicated Luke Shaw could win a reprieve despite his recent fierce criticism of the defender.Left-backAshley Young has been struggling with a knee injury, suffered while onEngland duty, as United prepare to face Swansea in the Premier League onSaturday, with Shaw his likely deputy.Shaw played in United’s mostrecent match, a 2-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Brighton on March17, but was substituted at half-time and then pilloried by Mourinhoafterwards. The Portuguese manager accused Shaw of not defending wellenough, and giving Brighton too much room down the right flank. Shaw isknown to be angry with the way he has been treated, but Mourinhoinsisted the full-back had not been frozen out.“If he’s available,Luke Shaw is always an option,” Mourinho said. “Ashley Young wasavailable to play against Brighton and I started with Luke Shaw, sothat’s not a problem.”Reserve goalkeeper Sergio Romero will miss theSwansea game after suffering a knee injury during Argentina’s 6-1defeat by Spain in Madrid on Tuesday. Romero has been United’s FA Cup‘keeper this season, but is a major doubt for the semi-final againstTottenham Hotspur at Wembley on April 21 after injuring his right kneein a collision with Diego Costa.“Romero is injured, and I think hewill be for a few weeks,” Mourinho, whose second-placed side arecurrently a huge 16 points adrift of Premier League leaders ManchesterCity, said. “I think in the end he was lucky because it was a strongcontusion (bruise) and will take a little bit of time to recover.”Mourinhoand Swansea counterpart Carlos Carvalhal are the only two Portuguesemanagers in the Premier League, and have a long-standing friendship.Carvalhal,who has taken Swansea three points clear of the relegation zone sincearriving at the Welsh club in December after leaving second-tierSheffield Wednesday, described Mourinho as the “king of coaches”, beforethe two men enjoyed a cordial phone conversation on Thursday.“He said I opened the door for more Portuguese coaches to leave which is something I know is true,” Mourinho told reporters. “Ispeak with him a couple of times every week. Last night I spoke withhim a little and thanked him for his nice words. It is one thing tothink something, but another to say it.”EPL FIXTURES TODAYCrystal Palace v Liverpool (1130) West Ham United v Southampton (1400) Brighton & Hove Albion v Leicester City (1400) Manchester United v Swansea City (1400) Newcastle United v Huddersfield Town (1400) Watford v AFC Bournemouth (1400) West Bromwich Albion v Burnley (1400) Everton v Manchester City (1630) TOMORROWArsenal v Stoke City (1230) Chelsea v Tottenham Hotspur (1500)