Jose Mourinho hails "phenomenal" Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has branded Zlatan Ibrahimovic "a phenomenal player".

Ibrahimovic, 34, joined Man United on a free transfer in the summer after running down his contract with Paris Saint-Germain.

It is understood that the former Swedish international had offers from both China and North America, but Mourinho has hailed the striker's motivation to seek the biggest challenge of his career.

"Zlatan is a phenomenal player, who arrives at 34 and still wants more for his career. He didn't want the Chinese money or the American US dollars; he wanted the most difficult place to play and win," Mourinho told reporters.

"Zlatan is more about him than us. Our contribution to him, in motivational terms, is zero. This is just his nature."

Ibrahimovic has said that he is "very well prepared, confident and focused" ahead of Saturday's Manchester derby with Manchester City at Old Trafford.