Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has heaped praise on Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he scored a hat-trick against Saint-Etienne in the Europa League on Thursday.

WATCH: Ibrahimovic’s first hat-trick

The Red Devils secured a 3-0 victory over the Ligue 1 side at Old Trafford in their first leg through three goals by the Swedish striker.

The 35-year-old striker has now scored his first hat-trick for the Red Devils but has already netted a total of 23 goals in all competitions this season.

The Portuguese manager says he was pleased with his side’s performance and for keeping a clean sheet heading into the second leg tie but Mourinho has reserved special praise for the striker for his goalscoring abilities this season.

‘He has scored so many hat-tricks in his career but this is a first for Manchester United. We know that it is more difficult in England,’ Mourinho told the Manchester United website.

‘We know clearly that it is fantastic for him, but the important thing is the result and the important thing is that we managed a clean sheet at home, which is important, and to score three goals is a good advantage for us. We can try to manage with that.’

Manchester United will now turn their attention to the FA Cup when they take on Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park on Sunday.

Kick-off has been set for 18:15.