Manchester United legend Bryan Robson remains hopeful the Red Devils' summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic can have the similar impact that Robin van Persie had in his debut season at Old Trafford.
The Dutch international was signed by the Red Devils former manager Sir Alex Ferguson from Arsenal in the summer of 2012. In his first season at United, Van Persie was the star player for the club as he finished the season as the Premier League's top scorer. His goals proved crucial as Ferguson could help United win their 13th Premier League title in the 2012-13 season.
Ibrahimovic moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent earlier this summer. He won four Ligue 1 titles with the French capital club and scored 50 goals in all competitions for his former club last term.
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Robson remains hopeful that the 34-year-old could replicate what Van Persie did in his debut season for United in order to help the 20-time English champions to win the title.
“Zlatan is 34 and it would have been nice to get him at 28 or 29, something like that, but the way he played for PSG last year showed he has a lot to offer still and he looks really fit,” Robson told MUTV.
“I think back to Sir Alex’s last year when everybody talked about Robin van Persie’s age and his injuries when he joined, but he won us the title with his goals that season. Hopefully ,Zlatan can do the same.
“He will take the pressure off Wayne Rooney as well. Every time we’ve had a bad result the excuse is that Wayne didn’t play particularly well. The pressure has always been on him to perform and Zlatan will take that away from Wayne a wee bit, so Wayne can relax and enjoy his game.
"Zlatan gave a great interview when the reporter told him that he’d previously described himself as 10 out of 10 and asked how he would rate himself now… Zlatan said 11 out of 10!"
Meanwhile, former Red Devils midfielder Ji-Sung Park claims Ibrahimovic's presence both in the pitch and in the dressing room could prove vital for Jose Mourinho' side.
“Yeah I think the club needs a big character like him. He has a lot of experience and then he can show his character in the dressing room and on the pitch," Park said.
"He can influence the players and particularly the young players. They can learn a lot from him and then show it on the pitch.”
