Manchester United’s fall from grace since the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson has been significant. Star summer signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic now admits that he left a stronger side to join the Red Devils.
Zlatan spent five years dominating the domestic football scene in France with Paris Saint-Germain. However, he has walked into a calamitous phase at Old Trafford, where Manchester United are struggling to challenge for the Premier League title.
The 35-year-old Swede recently spoke about the move to Manchester, admitting that the Red Devils aren’t as strong a side as the Ligue 1 champions.
“The team I signed for this summer is not as strong as the one I left, but when Mourinho called the decision was easy,” said Zlatan in an interview with Swedish publication Aftonbladet. :When he calls I have no problem coming, all we had to decide was when I was to be presented as Man U player.”
In inimitable Zlatan style, the Swedish striker also compared himself to French military and political leader Napoleon Bonaparte when asked about his future plans.
“Lots of people stay in one place throughout their career, but I’ve travelled around like Napoleon, and conquered every new country where I’ve set foot,” the Swede said.
Manchester United had to endure yet another frustrating draw against Arsenal this past weekend. Despite dominating the game and creating some clear-cut chances, a late header from Olivier Giroud helped the Gunners salvage a point at Old Trafford.
Zlatan was banned for the game after receiving his fifth yellow card in their previous game against Swansea City. However, the 35-year-old has displayed some fluctuating form in the Premier League, with critics even saying that he should be benched in favour of youngster Marcus Rashford.
The Swedish striker has won 13 league titles in the past 16 seasons, with Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG. However, it currently seems difficult for him to add the Premier League to his collection.
Manchester United are wallowing in sixth place and are already nine points behind league leaders Chelsea. Mourinho may have convinced Zlatan to join United, but the Portuguese manager will have to produce something magical to celebrate a Premier League title with his star striker.
