Manchester United’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan has won the Premier League’s goal of the month award for December, for his improvised scorpion kick against Sunderland.
But the goal might not have been possible without the influence of teammate Zlatan Ibrahimović, according to…well, Zlatan Ibrahimović himself.
Speaking to EASPORTS.com, the Swedish forward – who laid on the goal in question – said he and Mkhitaryan had been practicing the technique in training.
“We trained a couple of weeks before and I said exactly how to do the movement, as the pass needed to be perfect. So it went well!” he explained.
“I’m happy for him because it’s a goal that people will remember forever. I’m also happy because I was involved in it.
“So I’m happy for him and for the fans, because when the fans get to see a goal like that, it is something amazing – it’s the beauty of the game.”
More Goal of the Month joy for @HenrikhMkh – his stunning effort v Sunderland has been named the best in the @PremierLeague during December! pic.twitter.com/Ytuo2md44y
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 13, 2017
Ibrahimović was named as EA Sports’ Premier League Player of the Month for December, a month in which he scored five goals in six appearances and chipped in with three assists.
He is already off the mark in January after scoring the clinching second goal in United’s 2-0 victory at West Ham, bringing his total for the season up to 18 goals, 13 in the league.
Zlatan Ibrahimović was speaking to EASPORTS.com at the presentation of the EA SPORTS Player Of The Month Award. To read the full interview, go to https://www.easports.com/uk/fifa/news/2017/epl-player-of-the-month-december
