Wednesday 19 April 2017 16:46, UK
Jose Mourinho says Zlatan Ibrahimovic was not the target of criticism levelled at Manchester United following their 1-1 draw with Anderlecht.
The Europa League quarter-final tie is delicately poised ahead of Thursday's second leg at Old Trafford after United missed a host of chances to put the result beyond their opponents in the first fixture.
Mourinho lamented his side's sloppy display in front of goal following the game, and picked Marcus Rashford ahead of Ibrahimovic in United's 2-0 victory over Premier League leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
However, despite Ibrahimovic's own admission the United boss was right in his criticism, Mourinho says his comments were not directed at his 28-goal striker but the team.
"I was not disappointed with Zlatan, I was disappointed with the team," Mourinho said ahead of United's second leg against Anderlecht on Thursday.
"The team had the game in their hands and did not kill the game. We could be speaking now about a friendly game tomorrow if we won 3-0 in Anderlecht.
"Tomorrow could [have been] a nice game, and the chance to play Axel Tuanzebe, and some of the other young ones without any kind of pressure.
"The game was easy to cure, and we did not."
Ibrahimovic would have the chance to play in the Europa League final in his home country, Sweden, should United reach the showpiece in May.
The host stadium, the Friends Arena in Stockholm, had had a statue of Ibrahimovic commissioned to be placed outside the ground in honour of his career achievements, but Mourinho is more concerned about what a final there would mean to United than his 35-year-old forward.
"I don't think about it, I just think about Manchester United," Mourinho said.
"I think it would be the perfect finale for us. It would be the perfect end to the season for us, a difficult season with lots of matches. I think for Zlatan it would be fantastic to play the final in his country, it would be perfect, it would be beautiful."
