Zlatan Ibrahimovic's startling introduction to life in the Premier League is no surprise to Jose Mourinho who brought the talismanic Swede to Old Trafford knowing full well he could blow the division aside.

Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (12) has scored more goals in his first 16 Premier League appearances for Manchester United than Ibrahimovic, whose 11 goals tie him level with Robin van Persie and Andy Cole.

"I was expecting that because I knew the reasons why he was coming. He was not coming for the wrong reasons, he was not coming for the money, he was not coming for the prestige, he was coming to enjoy his football and to play in the best league in the world," Mourinho enthused.

"He is doing amazingly well but even in the period where he was not scoring goals he was important to us for many more reasons than goals.

"In the last two matches he has scored three goals which have earned six points.

"I'm so pleased for him. He is the kind of player who doesn't need to prove anything to anyone but when he decided to come to England for the last period of his career - to the most difficult championship in the world - I think he proved he is a superman in his mentality.

"What he is doing at 35 is a dream for every striker of 25 in the Premier League.

"I need to give him a rest. Now we have a little rest for the first time. It is not just him but everybody."

West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Show all 22 1 /22 West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings <b>West Brom:</b> Ben Foster – 6 out of 10 Despite conceding two goals, he did well for the remainder and denied Rooney with a fantastic save. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Craig Dawson – 5 out of 10 Was incredibly sloppy in possession at times and was being caught out of position. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Gareth McAuley – 6 out of 10 His ability in the air saved his side at times, with a number of vital clearances being made. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Martin Olsson – 5 out of 10 It was a quiet display from him today. He battled relentlessly, but at times it was not enough. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Allan Nyom – 6 out of 10 Was at the start of a number of West Brom attacks, but defensively there are room for improvements. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Darren Fletcher – 5 out of 10 He looked uncomfortable in possession and threatened by his opponents at times. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Claudio Yacob – 4 out of 10 Was wasteful with possession. Continued to make wrong decisions and failed to make an impact. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Matt Phillips – 6 out of 10 His crosses into the box towards Rondon were encouraging, but it would have been good to see more of him in possession. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Nacer Chadli – 6 out of 10 He was causing problems for United when he used the width and was charging up and down the flanks. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Chris Brunt – 6 out of 10 His deliveries into the box were brilliant and that is how West Brom looked most threatening. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Salomon Rondon – 5 out of 10 With a lack of service, there is only so much a striker can do. We saw minor glimpses of brilliance, but not enough. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings <b>Manchester United:</b> David De Gea – 6 out of 10 Had very little do throughout – remained untested. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Antonio Valencia – 6 out of 10 Held his position well at the back and it was all around disciplined performance. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Phil Jones – 6 out of 10 He made his presence known throughout and he made a number of crucial tackles/interceptions. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Marcos Rojo – 7 out of 10 His movement off the ball created width and influenced how the whole game was played. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Matteo Darmian – 5 out of 10 It was a mediocre performance from him today. He did his job, but looked lost at times. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Michael Carrick – 6 out of 10 He created a number of chances going forward, but defensively he was caught out on the occasion. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Ander Herrera – 6 out of 10 He lost possession on a number of occasions, but aside from that his work rate was faultless. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Jesse Lingard – 7 out of 10 His assist for the first goal was exceptional and his movement off the ball throughout was faultless. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Paul Pogba – 6 out of 10 Made a nuisance of himself throughout. Was tackling, running and attacking well. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Wayne Rooney – 6 out of 10 It was a steady display from him today, with one glimpse of brilliance when he struck the crossbar. Getty West Brom vs Manchester United player ratings Zlatan Ibrahimovic – 9 out of 10 He stole the show today. With two goals, his confidence reflected throughout and he was a joy to watch. Getty

Asked about whether he expected to play Ibrahimovic as much as he has, Mourinho added: "I was expecting to give him a different situation in the Europa League but we lost the first match in Feyenoord and then every match became important - even the last one when we needed a point to qualify.

"We communicate ideas about his situation and his feelings, and right now he is feeling great."

Mourinho was pleased with the way his United side performed against West Brom (Getty)

"I have been very lucky to work with lots of players with enthusiasm. I've had players in the last phase of their careers at 35, 36, 37 and they were still magnificent in their attitude but he's just not a normal player, he is not playing in a position where he can hide a little bit. Amazing central defenders with experience can play until they are older but a striker. . . you cannot hide."

United midfielder Jesse Lingard is aware of Ibrahimovic's worth to United: "He is a great character, very bubbly around the changing room and helps the young lads. His confidence is flowing now and the games are coming think and fast to add to his tally. We are all finding our rhythm now, everyone is gelling together."

Lingard believes Ibrahimovic is helping the rest of the team to gel together (Getty)

Meanwhile, West Brom boss Tony Pulis bristled at the mention of the yellow card given to Ibrahimovic for an ugly shoulder charge on Craig Dawson midway through the first half. He was asked about an altercation in the second half between Marcos Rojo and Salomon Rondon and added: "Are you just going to mention ours? What about Zlatan's challenge. That’s a worse one than the other one. I'm not going to comment. Ask the 28,000 what they thought of it."