AC Milan midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek appreciates the support he's receiving from Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Ibrahimovic now acts as team manager after retiring at the end of last season.

Loftus-Cheek told Cronache di Spogliatoio: "He has been a great help since he arrived in this role. He is always outside the locker room, waiting for us to pass, to encourage us. He talks to everyone on the pitch, he is a fantastic person and leader.

"He encourages you to give my all. He tells me to throw myself into the area: 'Try, try!'. And be decisive."

On teammate Tijjani Reijnders, he also said: "With Reijnders we are friends. We arrived at Milan together and we both spoke English, so it helped us get to know each other better. He recently became a father and in fact I call him 'Dad'.

"He's an exceptional person.

"Going to the European Championship? I hope so, but at the moment it seems unlikely that I'll be called up. I'd like to play for England again, but the objective is to do well at Milan. Also because the England is only a consequence of the performance at Milan."

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Watch: Pacers star ties playoff high in threes in one half
Former NFL player has major warning for Steelers QB Justin Fields: 'You can't fall into this'
Watch: Brad Marchand hurdle Panthers player on Charlie Coyle goal
Pressure mounts on Nuggets as Nikola Jokic wins third MVP Award
Pirates announce date for 2023 No. 1 overall pick's MLB debut
LeBron James rues 'missed opportunities' against Nuggets
Cardinals star gives update on timeline for injury rehab
Police investigating Patrick Beverley incident
J.J. Watt addresses possibly ending retirement to play for Texans
Inter Miami's Lionel Messi could surpass two major MLS records
Reporter weighs in on potential Giants quarterback controversy
Cowboys to release veteran WR
Lakers want Anthony Davis' opinion in search for next head coach
Patriots exec explains why team drafted two QBs in 2024 NFL Draft
Borussia Dortmund legend 'considering' move to MLS
NHL announces Ted Lindsay Award finalists
Mavericks' Luka Doncic lists Thunder swingman among best perimeter defenders in NBA
Cowboys reportedly meeting with recently released veteran WR
Joe Burrow shares 'support' for Bengals who requested trades
Dodgers star latest victim of announcers jinx