Wednesday 1 March 2017 20:31, UK
Manchester United defender Phil Jones has paid tribute to striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he inspired the club to victory over Southampton in the EFL Cup Final on Sunday.
The Swedish striker has been in sparkling form for United and scored twice at Wembley, including the winner three minutes from time, as Jose Mourinho became the first manager of the club to win silverware in his first season in charge.
"He has been terrific," Jones said of Ibrahimovic at the launch of Manchester United's global partnership with online marketplace Aladdin Street.
"He had a lot of doubters when he came, [whether he] could do it in the Premier League. He has quietened people down now.
"He is a fantastic character around the dressing room and he is a fantastic professional. He deserves all the credit he gets.
"He has great movement off the ball for how big he is. In the air he is hard to challenge against. He is a nightmare for defenders."
Jones also praised the way players who were out of favour under Louis van Gaal have been given the opportunity to prove their worth to Mourinho.
The 25-year-old has struggled with ankle and knee injuries that saw him miss a large chunk of last season, with Jones finally returning to the United side in the 3-1 win at Swansea on November 6.
Jones has now played 17 times for the club this season and despite missing the EFL Cup final victory with a knock on a bruised foot, his impressive form has seen him linked with a return to the England side.
"He has given everyone a lot of confidence, including players who perhaps weren't playing as many minutes last season," Jones said of Mourinho.
"You see it in training, you see it in games. If you are enjoying your football, you see it on the pitch.
"I knew at the start of the season it would be difficult for me because I had been out last season but it was up to me to change that. He gave me the belief to go and do it.
"I feel good and am willing to fight for the cause."
United face a busy end to the season, with Mourinho's side still involved in the latter stages of the Europa League and FA Cup.
But next up is a Premier League game against Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Saturday - live on Sky Sports - and Jones is delighted they are still fighting for further silverware on a number of fronts.
"We are in every competition, including the Europa League, although we have a tough trip to Rostov [on March 9]. It won't be easy but we are still in that and we are still confident," he added.
"In the FA Cup we have a tough tie away to Chelsea [on March 13] and in the league we need to capitalise on people slipping up around us. That starts on Saturday."
Watch Manchester United v Bournemouth on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD and Sky Sports Mix at 11:30am.
