London: Manchester United are able to mount a serious challenge for both the Premier and Champions League titles this season thanks to a stronger squad, striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said.
Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo returned to United's squad for Saturday's 4-1 league win over Newcastle United as Jose Mourinho's side, who are second in the league, remained eight points behind neighbours City.
With four wins from four Champions League group games this season, United need just one more point from two matches to qualify for the last 16. They visit FC Basel on Wednesday.
Ibrahimovic told British media that a domestic and European double was very much a target. "I think there is a possibility for everything... We are stronger this season. We believe we can do it... that's the aim. To win and get the trophies," he said.
"I think we can chase City, why is it not a possibility? This week the manager has been very happy because he has a full team ... He knows what he is doing, even when the number of players are limited because he's a winner and has been winning every season."
Ibrahimovic and Rojo returned from serious knee injuries sustained last season and started on the bench for an almost full-strength United squad. The Swede came on in the latter stages of the game.
Frenchman Pogba recovered from a hamstring injury and scored in his first game since September.
Defenders Eric Bailly and Phil Jones and midfielder Michael Carrick are the only remaining injury concerns for United.
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur defender Danny Rose was excluded from last Saturday's north London derby over fitness concerns, manager Mauricio Pochettino said as he denied reports of a rift between himself and the England international.
Rose, 27, returned from a knee injury in Tottenham's Champions League draw with Real Madrid last month and was named in the club's match day squad in the following five games but was completely absent for Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Arsenal.
The full-back also featured in England's friendlies against Germany and Brazil earlier this month but Pochettino believes Rose is not fully fit.
"I think you are trying to find some issue that is not an issue," Pochettino said. Reuters
