Zlatan
Ibrahimovic took to the training pitch as a Manchester United player for
the first time at the club's Carrington base on Thursday.
The
34-year-old had a grin on his face as he strode out in his United
apparel, notably a jumper emblazoned with his new No 9, while being
flanked by Ashley Young and Marcus Rashford.
The
Sweden icon visited Carrington on Wednesday, after being given an
additional break following his free transfer from French champions
Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but had not yet trained with his new
team-mates.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic trains under the watchful gaze of Jose Mourinho (left) for the first time as a Manchester United player
Ibrahimovic puts his arm around another new signing Eric Bailly (left) as he gets to know his new team-mates
The Swedish striker, pictured stretching with Phil Jones (left), was also introduced to the notoriously rainy Manchester weather
The 34-year-old trained for the first time since completing his free transfer from PSG
Mourinho watches
as Michael Carrick (left) leads players, including Ibrahimovic and Jesse
Lingard (centre), through a training drill
Ibrahimovic started an individual training programme on Sunday ahead of the season
The former PSG striker's movement looked sharp as he was put through his paces
The striker, pictured behind Marcus Rashford, could make his debut in a friendly against Galatasaray in Sweden on Saturday
As
he was put through his paces in Manchester's notoriously rainy weather
for the first time, the former Barcelona striker went through some
exercises while chatting with veteran midfielder Michael Carrick.
Ibrahimovic
also took part in some light dribbling and one-touch passing drills
under the watchful gaze of manager Jose Mourinho.
Despite
his extended break, Ibrahimovic's movement looked sharp - although he
did need to frequently adjust his ponytail during the warm-ups.
The
Swede was crowded by fans as he left the Radisson Hotel in Manchester
in the morning. Several players arrived at the club's training ground in
their luxury cars, which included Memphis Depay driving a customised
£250,000 Rolls Royce Phantom - while Schneiderlin was given a lift by
his fiancee Camille Sold in a less imposing Mini.
Mourinho
had a complete squad at his disposal for the first time with Bastian
Schweinsteiger, Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin and Marouane
Fellaini all returning after their Euro 2016 exertions.
The
Portuguese granted his players an extra day's rest following the
challenges of United's farcical pre-season tour of China, which
produced a damning defeat by Borussia Dortmund and culminated in their
derby with Manchester City being cancelled on Monday.
Ibrahimovic leaves the Radisson Hotel in Manchester on his way to Carrington on Thursday
The Swedish striker was mobbed by autograph hunters on his way to training for the first time
Wayne Rooney
(centre), pictured with (L-R) Anthony Martial, Jones, Matteo Darmian and
Ashley Young, admitted he was excited at the prospect of meeting 'one
of the world's best strikers'
Ibrahimovic
missed the tour after being given a five-week break since making his
final international appearance as Sweden crashed out of the group stages
at the European Championship.
The
34-year-old began a personal training programme on Sunday before taking
part in training on Thursday. He could make his debut in a pre-season
friendly against Galatasaray in his homeland Sweden on Saturday.
The match between the two sides in Gothenburg was only organised once a deal between Ibrahimovic and United had been agreed.
The United captain has been impressed by training under new manager Mouirinho (left)
Henrikh Mkhitaryan (left) goes through a drill as Carrick (right) and Jones wait their turn
Luke Shaw (right) stretches with Rooney after recovering from an horrific leg break last season
Several players, including Marouane Fellaini, were returning after extended breaks
United
captain Wayne Rooney was especially excited at meeting a player he
previously described as 'one of the best strikers in world football'.
'I am looking forward to it,' said Rooney during a live Facebook broadcast on Monday.
'I
think he has been one of the best strikers in world football over the
last 10 years and he has always won trophies everywhere he has been.
'He
is a huge character so I am looking forward to getting back, training
with him and hopefully forming a good partnership and being successful
together,' added.
Rooney, pictured arriving, has described Ibrahimovic as a 'huge personality'
Holland international Memphis Depay arrived at training driving a £250,000 Roll Royce
Midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin was given a lift to work in his fiancee's Mini
The
England captain revealed he has also been impressed by Mourinho's
training methods. 'The training has been tough and you can see why he
has won trophies at the clubs he has been at. I have enjoyed it, it has
been difficult in the heat out here in China, but it has been really
good and I am just looking forward to getting involved in the games,' he
said.
Ibrahimovic
is one of three new arrivals at Old Trafford this summer, alongside
midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan and defender Eric Bailly - with a proposed
world record £110millon move for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba still
being negotiated.
The
Italians are ready to let the France international leave for £92million
plus £8m in add-ons (even further add-ons may come into play if he wins
the Ballon d'Or), if United agree to pay his agent Mino Raiola's 20 per
cent bonus.
Veteran midfielder Carrick arrives at training after signing a one-year contract extension
Paul Pogba hinted he is returning to Manchester after posting am Instagram picture in United's colours
United
have been reluctant to help Juventus on their arrangement with Raiola,
particularly after offering such a fee, however, the Italian champions
say if that can be resolved, the 23-year-old can return to Manchester.
Talks
took place at the Milan Palazzo Parigi Hotel on Tuesday and further
talks are ongoing between Raiola and United executive vice-chairman Ed
Woodward, as they look to iron out how to pay the outstanding £20m.
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