Now a member of Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had offers from clubs all over the world this summer. Once his Paris Saint Germain contract expired, his agent Mino Raiola was taking calls from multiple teams in multiple countries.
United is the perfect fit for him, and tomorrow night we’ll get to see him make his debut in his bright new red United shirt.
It’s official, as Ibra will play his very first match as a Red Devil in his native Sweden. They’ll face Galatasaray in Gothenburg, kicking off at 7:30 p.m. CEST on Saturday.It’ll be a meaningless preseason friendly, but still special. An international superstar making his debut in his native land is a great story.
You won't want to miss this! It's #ZlatanTime in #MUTVHD's interview, 17:30 BST on Saturday: https://t.co/HybUUzh26b https://t.co/CIHEpxIa7A
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) July 29, 2016
On a side note, Ibrahimovic sort of turned down a significant offer to join the Red Devils. David Beckham himself wanted Zlatan to join his as of yet unnamed, but hoping to commence play in 2018 MLS side.
“David is a good friend of mine, and he has asked me to play for his [Miami] team,” Ibrahimovic told Goal.com.
“For now, I want to achieve big things with Manchester United, but I have a lot of respect for the MLS, and anything is possible.
“I am not ruling out the MLS. Once I had decided to leave PSG there were many offers, but with Zlatan that is normal.”
“I know that teams from the MLS were interested, but the opportunity to play for Manchester United, and of course to work with my good friend Jose Mourinho again, was impossible to turn down.”
Nice reference to himself in the third person there by Ibrahimovic, but there you have it. Not this time Becks, but maybe next time.
Ibrahimovic added that a move to Major League Soccer could be in the cards for him after he’s done at the Theatre of Dreams.
“I would never rule out the MLS in the future. I have a contract with Manchester United, but I feel in great shape,” he added. “I feel as though I could play until I am 40. It is impossible to predict the future.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication.
He also consistently appears on numerous talk shows all across the country. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram