Zlatan Ibrahimovic Talks 'Mastermind' Jose Mourinho Ahead of Manchester Derby

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has lauded manager Jose Mourinho as a "mastermind" ahead of their first derby together against Pep Guardiola's Manchester City side on Saturday, per the Daily Mail's Chris Wheeler. 

The Swede worked under Mourinho at Inter Milan during the 2008-09 campaign, and Ibrahimovic told BBC Sport's Football Focus how the Portuguese boss doesn't hold back.

"In a short time, he has had big success, and he's direct with everyone," Ibrahimovic said. "He's not a coach who goes behind you and speaks behind your back. He will tell you. If you are not good enough, you're not good enough."

Wheeler provided additional quotes:

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Mourinho is a mastermind. He knows everything about the game. I do not have many regrets, but I do regret that I did not get to play under Mourinho for longer. When the opportunity came again for him to be my coach at United, it was an easy decision.

Who wouldn’t want to be coached by him? I am at a great club with a great coach and great fans, and I want to be as successful as possible for them.

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Much of the tension leading up to Saturday's Old Trafford clash has revolved around Mourinho's longstanding rivalry with former Barcelona colleague Guardiola, new to the Premier League this year.

It's largely thanks to Ibrahimovic's three goals in three league outings that United still boast a 100 per cent record this season, and the forward voiced his belief that trophies aren't far away, per BBC Sport:

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A relationship between a player and a coach has to be between a player and a coach. I know this coach from before. I know what he wants, what he demands. I know what he goes for. He is a winner. I see myself as a winner also. I like to win. I will do everything to do win.

He thinks the same thing, and he won, and I won. We won when we were young, and we will win when we are a little bit older. And not old. A little bit older.

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That winning mentality is something one could argue has been missing at Old Trafford in recent years, and the morale boost such talk provides is potentially worth a more serious trophy run this term.

Ibrahimovic has had the benefit of working under both coaches involved in this Manchester derby, but the Swede doesn't have as much time for the City boss, per the Telegraph's James Ducker:

It was under the Catalan that Ibrahimovic saw his form decline at the Camp Nou following a £40 million switch in 2009.

Guardiola isn't the only Manchester City associate for whom the 34-year-old had some choice words, either, as he taunted new goalkeeper Claudio Bravo through his Instagram page (via Sky Sports News HQ):

Both teams involved on Saturday have made perfect starts to the 2016-17 campaign, but the old rivalry will see at least one of United or City drop their first points of the new season.

Former Real Madrid chief Mourinho looks to be facing an uphill struggle if his recent record against his old Clasico nemesis is anything to go by, per OptaJose:

Ibrahimovic and Mourinho may have only had a single season together at Inter Milan, but that didn't prevent them from ensuring their union was productive, clinching the 2008-09 Serie A crown.

The veteran forward has been essential in United's steady start to the season, and his adoration of Mourinho blended with a dislike of Guardiola could provide the motivation he needs to excel in his first Manchester derby.