It was one of the worst kept secrets in football. That superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be joining Manchester United o a free transfer.
Zlatan being Zlatan, pre-empted the club’s official announcement by posting on Instagram that he was moving to Old Trafford.
The arrival of the 34-year-old striker has already been compared to the arrival of Eric Cantona, who joined United as was the catalyst behind the trophy winning years of Sir Alex Ferguson.
“I am absolutely delighted to be joining Manchester United and am looking forward to playing in the Premier League: said Ibra.
It goes without saying that I cannot wait to work with Jose Mourinho once again.
He is a fantastic manager and I am ready for this new and exciting challenge.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my career so far and have some great memories.
I am now ready to create more special memories in England.”
New United boss Jose Mourinho told the United website:
“Zlatan needs no introduction. The statistics speak for themselves.
“Ibra is one of the best strikers in the world and a player who always gives 100 per cent.
He has won the most important league championships in the world of football, now he has the opportunity to play in the best league in the world and I know he will grasp this opportunity and will work hard to help the team win titles.
“I am certain that his talent will delight fans at Old Trafford next season and that his experience will be invaluable in helping to develop the younger players in the squad.”
While certain members of the ABU media have scoffed at United’s signing of Ibrahimovic, one person who thinks it is a grat move is Carlo Ancelotti’s assistant, Paul Clement worked with Ibrahimovic during Paris Saint-Germain’s 2012-13 title-winning season.
“He has such a competitive drive and desire every day and I don’t think that Paris team and that culture there were used to that. They hadn’t seen anything like that before he arrived.
“I’d seen it at Chelsea, with John Terry, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack, Frank Lampard. I’d seen what a competitive environment is, day to day. At Paris, they hadn’t had that, but, with the help of the staff as well, Zlatan really pushed that on.”
United were often timid and uninspiring under Louis van Gaal. That will not be the case with Mourinho and Zlatan.
What do you think about the arrival of Zlatan? Is he a good signing for United?