Patrick Vieira backs Zlatan Ibrahimovic to impress in England

Manager of Manchester City U21 Patrick Vieira and Manager of Chelsea FC U21 Dermot Drummy look on during the Barclays U21 Premier League match on May 1, 2014
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New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira backs his "good friend" Zlatan Ibrahimovic to prove "a very good signing" for Manchester United.

New York City FC boss Patrick Vieira has backed his "good friend" Zlatan Ibrahimovic to prove "a very good signing" for Manchester United.

Ibrahimovic confirmed on Thursday afternoon that he had agreed a deal with Man United and the experienced striker is expected to undergo a medical with the Premier League club on Friday ahead of putting pen to paper on a one-year deal.

Vieira has also claimed that Manchester will now be "the capital of football" due to the presence of a number of big names, including Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola.

"He is a good friend of mine and we spent time together at Juventus and at Inter. We are still in touch once in a while and we have massive respect for each other," Vieira told reporters.

"What I really like about him is his character - he is a winner, a guy who can drive the team because of his character and that is a very good signing for Manchester United.

"I spoke to him this morning - he said that decided to go to United and he believes that is a very good decision for him. Of course I will wish him good luck and I will be following him. Look at the two managers in Manchester; look at Ibrahimovic; Aguero on one side, Silva, Rooney. I think Manchester is the capital of football."

Vieira left his role with Manchester City to take charge in New York earlier this year.

Paris Saint-Germain's Zlatan Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring a goal during the Coupe de France final against Marseille on May 21, 2016
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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City86111981119
2Arsenal86111991019
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs8530134918
4Liverpool85211810817
5Chelsea8512159616
6Everton8431126615
7Manchester UnitedMan Utd8422138514
8Southampton8332107312
9Crystal Palace8323119211
10Watford83231313011
11Bournemouth83231212011
12West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom824298110
13Leicester CityLeicester8224814-68
14Burnley8215612-67
15West Ham UnitedWest Ham8215917-87
16Hull City8215820-127
17Middlesbrough8134711-46
18Stoke CityStoke8134716-96
19Swansea CitySwansea8116815-74
20Sunderland8026615-92