Mourinho: Carry On, Zlatan

Jose Mourinho says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is likely to be terrorising Premier League defences for some time to come after the Swede bagged his 50th strike in the calendar year with the second goal in the 3-1 win over Sunderland.

The evergreen centre-forward looks set to have a second year in his contract at Old Trafford activated. Although that development is not yet confirmed, the boss is in no doubts as to the suitability of the striker to the rigours of the English top flight.

When asked if the clause has been triggered already, Mourinho replied: "Not yet but it's activated in his brain and activated also in my decisions and it is activated as well in the owners and the board's [mind]. So no problem."

Ibrahimovic has adapted superbly to the Premier League since arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain - only Chelsea's Diego Costa has scored more goals this term - and has shown the right mentality to succeed at Old Trafford.

"I'm not really surprised," said the boss, "because he's a very intelligent guy, a very proud man. He decided to come to Manchester United and to the Premier League, to a club with the level of expectation that Manchester United has, to the most difficult league in the world for a striker.

"When he decided to come here, it's because he knows he can do it. When we contacted him, he told us: 'Yes, I want [it]'. I was sure he was not coming here to leave the Premier League without proof, leave the Premier League failing at Manchester United. No way.

"When such a guy decided to come, I was completely clear that he would be ready and he's ready for more. Next season, he will be here again."