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Jose Mourinho reveals who else benefited from Zlatan Ibrahimovic's transfer to Man United
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC's move to Manchester United has benefited every club in France - expect Paris Saint-Germain.
Raiola confirms Ibrahimovic may extend his stay
That is according to Jose Mourinho, who has hailed his striker's impact since the summer at Old Trafford.
Ibrahimovic ran out his contract at the Parc des Princes last season, and after plenty of speculation surrounding his next career move, the 35-year-old finally took the Premier League plunge.
At Manchester United, the experienced Swede has shown no signs of slowing down and brought his form from PSG that made him Ligue 1's poster boy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is Man United's top scorer in the Premier League and all competitions this season
However, since leaving PSG on a free, Unai Emery's side have struggled to cope and sit third in the table.
It has resulted in a more open title fight, and Mourinho insists Ibrahimovic's exit can only be seen as a positive in France.
"First of all I think people in France have to be happy that he left because now you have a league," Mourinho said to SFR Sport.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic broke an array of goalscoring records in Ligue 1 during his spell at PSG
Now I watch Ligue 1, so you have to thank [Ibrahimovic] that he left
"With him – no league. With him [the winners are] Paris and Paris and Paris. [They won the] League, the Cup, League Cup, Super Cup – everything – and now you have a league.
"Now you have a league that I watch. I am interested. Nice, [Mario] Balotelli. Monaco, my friend Leonardo [Jardim] against Paris.
"Now I watch Ligue 1, so you have to thank him that he left."
Jose Mourinho has been able to rely on Zlatan Ibrahimovic for key goals at Manchester United
On Ibrahimovic's top form at United, Mourinho added: "He does phenomenal. He is not just about goals, he is about the passion he brings to training sessions.
"With me, I keep saying that I had him when he was 25, 26 years old, maybe 27. Now I have him in the last period of his career and I prefer this player."
Ibrahimovic has rarely had a rest at Old Trafford despite his age, and the hitman is expected to start again on Boxing Day when Sunderland visit (3pm).
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