Friday 3 March 2017 13:03, UK
Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the best free transfers ever and an inspired signing, says Jamie Redknapp.
Ibrahimovic has been a revelation since arriving at Old Trafford in July, netting 26 goals in all competitions and breaking numerous records in the process.
Despite having his doubters when he arrived - including Redknapp himself - the Sky Sports pundit admits that the Swede's arrival could be one of the best ever bits of business in terms of a free transfer.
"In Ibrahimovic, they have a big player in every sense of the word. He has been a great signing," he said in a Facebook Live with Sky Bet.
"I can't lie, at the start of the year I thought 'that's a funny signing, will he get in the way of Marcus Rashford? Is he going to stop the development of any young players?' But the truth it is one of those inspirational signings that happen every so often.
"If you do talk about Eric Cantona and the effect he had at the club on all the young players, Ibrahimovic is having a very similar one now.
"He's the king there at the moment and he has been an inspired signing. Whoever bought him in whether it was Jose Mourinho or the owners, he has been one of the best free transfers ever."
United collected their first major trophy of the season when they beat Southampton in the EFL Cup last weekend, with Ibrahimovic having a starring role as he scored the opening and winning goals.
Mourinho's men could also sneak into the Premier League top four for a few hours with three points on Saturday afternoon as they kick off the weekend's action against Bournemouth live on Sky Sports, and Redknapp is backing them to finish in the Champions League places.
"I think so now [United to finish in the top four]. At the moment, you're looking at the teams and wondering who is going to miss out because two good teams won't make the cut," he added.
"My top four if I was to pick at the moment is Chelsea, Man City, Tottenham and Man Utd, but it can soon change."
Catch Ibrahimovic and United in action against Bournemouth on Premier League Live from 11.30am on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 1.
