Manchester United stars gear up for Watford clash as Marcus Rashford reveals Zlatan Ibrahimovic's mentality has been key to lifting dressing room
- Man Utd news: All the latest from Old Trafford
- The Manchester United stars were put through paces ahead of Watford clash
- Paul Pogba and Co appeared in high spirits during their training session
- Marcus Rashford has been asked about Zlatan Ibrahimovic's biggest asset
- The England international has praised the Swedish superstar's mentality
- Ibrahimovic grabbed his 20th goal of the season in United's win over Leicester
- Read: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho ends Jaguar deal
Manchester United's quest for Champions League football next season was boosted by their 3-0 win over champions Leicester — and it appears it has lifted morale in the camp.
The United stars were put through their paces on Wednesday morning ahead of their home Premier League fixture against Watford at the weekend, where they will be hoping to close the gap on their top0-four rivals.
Paul Pogba was among the stars who attended the session at the club's state-of-the-art complex and the France international appeared in high spirits as he prepares to face a resurgent Hornets outfit at Old Trafford this Saturday.
![(L-R) Manchester United stars Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and David de Gea during training](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF5507800000578-4203268-image-a-53_1486555614166.jpg)
(L-R) Manchester United stars Ander Herrera, Paul Pogba and David de Gea during training
![United captain Wayne Rooney (left) speaks to team-mate and close friend Michael Carrick](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF550B000000578-4203268-image-a-61_1486555666805.jpg)
United captain Wayne Rooney (left) speaks to team-mate and close friend Michael Carrick
![The pair, who have 153 caps between them for England, share a joke on Wednesday](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF5957F00000578-4203268-image-m-70_1486556965267.jpg)
The pair, who have 153 caps between them for England, share a joke on Wednesday
![Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a chat with Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the club's training base](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF54FF400000578-4203268-image-a-66_1486555808138.jpg)
Star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has a chat with Henrikh Mkhitaryan at the club's training base
Pogba was seen joking around with Ander Herrera and David de Gea, while Zlatan Ibrahimovic cut a more serious figure as he made his way out on to the training pitch with Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
Sergio Romero, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were other United stars who took time out of their preparations to pose for a photograph.
Pogba and Co had every reason to smile after last weekend's comfortable win over the Foxes moved United, who are sixth in the Premier League, to within two points of fourth-placed Arsenal.
Marcus Rashford, meanwhile, believes Ibrahimovic's mentality has been key to lifting the Manchester United dressing room throughout a tricky campaign.
![(L-R) Sergio Romero, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial of United pose for a photograph](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF54F9C00000578-4203268-image-a-63_1486555734513.jpg)
(L-R) Sergio Romero, Juan Mata and Anthony Martial of United pose for a photograph
![Antonio Valencia, who has impressed under Jose Mourinho this season, during the session](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF551E100000578-4203268-image-a-64_1486555755323.jpg)
Antonio Valencia, who has impressed under Jose Mourinho this season, during the session
![Experienced 35-year-old midfielder Carrick appears in high spirits ahead of Watford clash](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF551B000000578-4203268-image-m-65_1486555777270.jpg)
Experienced 35-year-old midfielder Carrick appears in high spirits ahead of Watford clash
Ibrahimovic notched his 20th goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Leicester at the King Power Stadium as Jose Mourinho' side ended a run of three consecutive Premier League matches without a win.
After spending heavily in the summer to attract the likes of Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba, United have failed to mount a serious title challenge and are in a bitter battle with Tottenham, Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool to finish in the top four.
Rashford admits the changing room has been a place in need of a lift from time to time during the campaign, and the England international says there is no better instigator of belief inside those four walls than the Swede.
Asked about the biggest attribute Ibrahimovic has brought to the club, Rashford told ManUtd.com: 'I think it's the way his mentality works. That is probably the biggest thing, not only for the young players but other players can take that from him as well.
![(L-R) Chris Smalling, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw make their way out on to the pitch](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF5518000000578-4203268-image-a-62_1486555707547.jpg)
(L-R) Chris Smalling, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw make their way out on to the pitch
![Eric Bailly and Marouane Fellaini go for a jog at United's state-of-the-art training complex](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF551A800000578-4203268-image-a-67_1486555858588.jpg)
Eric Bailly and Marouane Fellaini go for a jog at United's state-of-the-art training complex
![Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Daley Blind were also part of the squad during the session](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/12/3CF5518B00000578-4203268-image-a-68_1486555860286.jpg)
Bastian Schweinsteiger (left) and Daley Blind were also part of the squad during the session
'In fact, that is definitely the main thing. It's good for the dressing room. Sometimes, if we're down, he can pick us back up and, when we're up, he keeps us up.
'Bringing in that type of player, it has been key.'
Rashford has played 30 times this season for United in all competitions, but has struggled to hit the heights of his breakthrough campaign, scoring just three goals, and six in all competitions.
Mourinho's side are back in Premier League action on Saturday when they welcome Watford to Old Trafford.
![Rashford believes Ibrahimovic's mentality has been key for Manchester United](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/10/3CE2232900000578-0-image-a-24_1486551036037.jpg)
Rashford believes Ibrahimovic's mentality has been key for Manchester United
![The Swedish superstar struck his 20th goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Leicester City](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/02/08/10/3CDF780100000578-0-image-a-25_1486551040802.jpg)
The Swedish superstar struck his 20th goal of the season in the 3-0 win over Leicester City
![](http://web.archive.org./web/20240830130743im_/https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/08/02/636x90_facebook_ad_sport.png)
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