Europe Keeps Us Sharp

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is determined to go all the way in the Europa League with Manchester United, not only for the chance to win silverware in his native Sweden but also for the impact it will have on the campaign as a whole.

The striker played a key role in Thursday’s hard-fought win over FC Rostov, his flick setting up Juan Mata to score the only goal of the game and send United through to the quarter-finals. The result also extended the Reds' unbeaten home record in Europe this season, and Ibrahimovic naturally wants this to continue in the next round against Anderlecht.

"When you are in the Europa League, you stay on your toes and you keep going for every game you play," Zlatan told MUTV. "We are still in two tournaments and we want to win; that’s the objective, that’s the mentality and we work hard for it."

Rostov posed a challenge to United with a resilient defensive effort at Old Trafford, and the 35-year-old paid credit to the Russian side.

"It was not easy, they were playing with many defenders, and they are good at it," said Ibrahimovic. "We tried to stay patient and tried to create chances and just wait for the opportunity. The important thing was to go through, which we did, so we are happy for that."

Ibrahimovic scored four goals - including a 30-yard screamer - when his former club Paris Saint-Germain thumped Anderlecht 5-0 in a Champions League group game in October 2013 but speaking before Friday's draw, the forward showed the mindset needed to win the competition.

"Whoever you get [in the draw] will not be easy, because all the teams are good," he warned. "You have to keep going, not to give up the belief and just to continue to try, try, try. When you get an opportunity, you need to focus."

United’s focus will be back on the Premier League this Sunday as the Reds travel to Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium, and although he will miss out through suspension, Zlatan hopes the buzz from a positive result in Europe can rub off on the domestic front.

He said: "We have the Premier League and this [Europa League] left. To go out [of the Europa League] would not be nice because then the Premier League would be not as exciting."