MX23RW : Sunday, November 24 16:48:23| >> :60:664:664:

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: 'I offered to play for free at Manchester United'

Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic reveals that he offered to play for free at Old Trafford following his return from a serious knee injury.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he offered to play for free at Manchester United following his return from a knee injury.

Ibrahimovic quickly became a fan favourite at Old Trafford following his 2016 arrival from Paris Saint-Germain, scoring 28 goals across all competitions before his season was cut short by a serious cruciate knee ligament injury in April 2017.

There was speculation at the time that the former Sweden international could be forced into retirement as a result of the injury, but United opted to re-sign him on a one-year deal and he made his comeback significantly ahead of schedule in November 2017.

However, the 36-year-old played just seven more games for United before being released to enable him to join Los Angeles Galaxy in March of this year, and he has now revealed that he turned down opportunities to play as he no longer thought that he could give his best.

"The situation was not about having a contract and earning money - it was the opposite. I said, 'I don't want a salary, you keep it'," Ibrahimovic told BBC Sport.

"When I was ready, I said to myself, 'I am not there'. They had a Zlatan before. After, I was not ready to be that Zlatan. I was selected in many of the games but I told the coach: 'Listen, I am not ready. I don't want to disappoint you.

"'The respect I have for my teammates and the coach. Select someone else who can do the job better'. I stood up and did it, even if I am Zlatan."

Ibrahimovic has scored 11 goals in just 14 MLS appearances since joining LA Galaxy.

ID:331073: cacheID:331073:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:2464:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England's Harry Maguire scores their first goal against Sweden on July 7, 2018
Read Next:
Rooney trolls Ibrahimovic on social media
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
6pm
Vikings
@
Bears
6pm
Lions
@
Colts
6pm
Patriots
@
Dolphins
6pm
Buccaneers
@
Giants
6pm
Chiefs
@
Panthers
6pm
Titans
@
Texans
6pm
Cowboys
@
Washington
9.05pm
Broncos
@
Raiders
9.25pm
49ers
@
Packers
9.25pm
Cardinals
@
Seahawks
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool1210112481631
2Manchester CityMan City127232217523
3Chelsea126422314922
4Arsenal126422112922
5Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton126422116522
6Tottenham HotspurSpurs1261527131419
7Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest125431513219
8Aston Villa125431919019
9Newcastle UnitedNewcastle115331311218
10Fulham125341717018
11Brentford125252222017
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd114341212015
13Bournemouth124351617-115
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham113351319-612
15Everton122551017-711
16Leicester CityLeicester122461523-810
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves122372028-89
18Crystal Palace121561017-78
19Ipswich TownIpswich111551222-108
20Southampton121110924-154


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!