Sky Pundit Offers Verdict on Ibra & Lukaku Pitch Chat After Man Utd Ace's Injury Return

Jamie Carragher has revealed what exactly he thought Zlatan Ibrahimovic told Romelu Lukaku after he was subbed onto the pitch against Newcastle United.

The veteran Manchester United striker made his long-awaited return from a lengthy cruciate knee ligament injury against the Magpies on Saturday, and immediately set about telling his strike partner what instructions had been passed on to him from Jose Mourinho.

Speaking on Monday Night Football (h/t the Mirror), Sky Sports pundit Carragher stated his belief that the Sweden legend had actually told Lukaku where to play without Mourinho's intervention.

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The Liverpool legend said: "You watch him when he comes on, I think this is hilarious. I don’t know if Jose has told him to do this, but he comes on and tells Lukaku to go on the right wing, and he does it."

Ibrahimovic being played up top with Lukaku out wide certainly offers an insight into how Mourinho would set his team up with the two powerhouse forwards in his starting lineup.

Many United fans have been left intrigued as to whether the 36-year-old and 24-year-old could tail each other if the Red Devils deployed two strikers up front ever since Ibra returned to the club on a new one-year contract.

Carragher, however, offered his opinion over whether such a move could work as both continue to vie for the lone striker role in Mourinho's first choice XI.

He added: "I don't think they can play together as a front two.

"I think that's the most important goal in that 4-1 victory. Talking about Zlatan and the impact that might have on Manchester United, everyone says it is fantastic to have him back, and it is, to have a player of that quality."

Ibrahimovic will likely see further minutes from the bench in the upcoming clashes with FC Basel and Brighton, in the Champions League and Premier League respectively, as he continues to build up his match fitness.