Ray Wilkins: "Ibrahimovic is running Manchester United dressing room"

"Priceless" Zlatan Ibrahimovic is running the dressing room at Manchester United, according to Ray Wilkins.

The United striker scored a match-winning double as Southampton were beaten in the EFL Cup final at Wembley on Sunday.

Ibrahimovic now has 26 goals across all competitions and former United midfielder Wilkins feels the 35-year-old is having a massive influence both on and off the pitch.

"You cannot put a price on what a player like him will give to a dressing room," Wilkins said to Sky Sports.

"I was fortunate to work at Chelsea with the likes of John Terry, Frank Lampard, the Coles, Didier Drogba and the dressing room was theirs. 

"They ran the dressing room and he [Ibrahimovic] will be doing exactly the same. It is his character. 

"When you play at big clubs you need to have a personality and this guy has it in abundance. If you look at those shots after the game, every player was around him and smothering him with adoration.

"I saw when they went in front he got the guys together as a group and he was having a little chat with them and this was the situation. I just think the guy has got so much personality.

"The important thing when you play with the big clubs is the mental strength. This guy is so mentally tough that no one can beat him. He knows that and he feels that when he goes on the pitch."

Wilkins thinks Jose Mourinho could not have chosen a more reliable option to sign for United in his first season in charge at Old Trafford.

He said: "Jose never buys potential, or brings in potential. Jose brings in proven players and this guy is probably the most proven footballer in world football, he has won everywhere he has been.

"He has played his football at the best clubs in the world, therefore, this guy hasn't only been with Jose, he's been with the top coaches in world football. He obviously has an amazing ability to keep himself fit.

"When you watch Zlatan play, he plays when the ball is in his area. He is not a Wayne Rooney who sacrifices himself all over the pitch, he plays when it is in his area and is very effective at what he does. You can't get near him."