Jose Mourinho has backed his enigmatic frontman to score more goals in one season at Old Trafford than the former England international managed in three campaigns. Michael Owen claims his goals during three seasons at Old Trafford were ‘of more value to Manchester United’ than those currently being plundered by Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The former England international was responding to claims from Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho that his Swedish striker will better Owen’s return in one campaign. Ibra could've been 'more phenomenal'

Those comments from the Portuguese coach came after his high-profile summer signing saw his role and value to the long-term cause at the Theatre of Dreams called into question. Owen said of the 35-year-old: "He's definitely a stopgap striker isn't he. "He's good but we're talking Manchester United, you need to be one of the best strikers in the world to [be] the regular striker here. "Jose Mourinho didn't think the current crop were ready [when he arrived]. Rashford: not ready; Wayne Rooney: probably saw him as a No 10; Martial: didn't see him as a striker. So [Zlatan] is a stopgap.”

Mourinho does not see things that way and has backed Ibrahimovic – who has 13 goals this season – to surpass the 17 efforts Owen notched for United before the 2016-17 season is out. He told BT Sport: “The reality is that Zlatan will score more goals in one season than Michael Owen in three seasons at Man United. “He scored 17 goals in three seasons, Zlatan is almost there in six months so he’s not a bad choice for us.” Owen was given the opportunity to offer a response and after reiterating his previous beliefs, claimed that his efforts for United – including a famous derby winner against Manchester City in September 2009 – offered greater value to the Red Devils cause.

“I said that Zlatan wasn’t the long-term type of player, a bit like Robin van Persie – bought for a purpose, one or two seasons,” he said. “But at some point Man United have got to find the next Wayne Rooney, buying them at 18 or 19, or produce someone themselves. “I think my goals were of more value to Man United because I got about 10 per cent of what Zlatan is on a week!”