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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Did Not Agree With Club's Alex Ferguson Obsession During United Spell

Gary Connaughton
By Gary Connaughton
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed some mixed fortunes during his time at Manchester United.

The Swede would win three trophies in his debut season, capturing the Community Shield, League Cup, Europa League. However, his second campaign was blighted by injury as he failed to make much of an impact.

He also arrived at a time when Manchester United were only really at the beginning of their post-Ferguson dip. While that trio of trophies was a good achievement, they never came close to competing in the Premier League or Champions League under Jose Mourinho.

The hangover from Alex Ferguson's departure is still carrying on to the present day, with the club looking further than ever from challenging for the game's biggest honours. Their obsession with the recently departed manager no doubt contributed to that dip.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalls United's Alex Ferguson obsession

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Speaking on The Gab & Juls Show, Zlatan Ibrahimovic recalled how Manchester United were still obsessed with the Scot after his arrival at the club, something he didn't really understand.

I came to a club that was used to winning. I came to a club that is known for having big players, known to have a winning mentality.

When I came there everyone was speaking about 'when Sir Alex Ferguson was here it was not like that'.

I said 'listen, I'm not here because of Sir Alex Ferguson', with all due respect to him. I'm here to do my own story, because if I don't win, I fail.

I came in and tried to bring what I'm good at on the field and outside the field. I wanted to win at every cost and I was playing for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I had Mourinho as coach who I knew from before, new players that I didn't know.

That season we won three trophies...

After two seasons I left, the second year I had a problem with my injury. From then things were different (at United), but I cannot judge if I'm not there.

Alex Ferguson is still a huge figure at Manchester United, especially during Ole Gunner Solskjaer's spell as manager as the Norwegian repeatedly referred back to the glory days. However, they really need to put that era in the past after the appointment of Erik ten Hag.

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Despite finding himself at the club during a less successful period in their recent history, Ibrahimovic said he still enjoyed his time in Manchester.

I had fun (in the Premier League). When I came everybody was against it and in England they didn't like me. They had all these words, blah, blah, blah.

After three months, all the haters started to like me...

I had fun. It's a great competition with an amazing atmosphere. I'm happy to have played for United, which I think is the best club in England.

It was the right choice to go to Manchester United, I think I came in a good moment. It's easy to come to a club when the success is already there, it's more difficult when you come to a club which needs to have a success. If you manage to have a success, then you are part of the story.

The fans were great to me. I did really enjoy it.

At 40-years old, Ibrahimovic is still competing for top honours as he looks to help AC Milan to the Serie A title in the coming weeks.

SEE ALSO: Erik Ten Hag Has Identified Three Summer Targets For Manchester United

erik ten hag

 

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