Despite playing for some of the world’s most prestigious clubs, Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes that he has been taken to another level with Manchester United.
The Sweden icon arrived at Old Trafford on a free transfer from PSG this summer – having previously won league titles with Barcelona, AC Milan, Ajax and Juventus.
The 34-year-old may be considered as one of the game’s largest personalities, but even he was overawed by the sheer scale of the club and its fanbase.
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports that will be broadcast on Sunday, Ibrahimovic was asked why he said that United was the biggest club he has played for.
‘The way everything is done here. When I come to the training ground it’s massive,’ he answered.
‘The history of the club, the players that have been playing here, all the attention the club gets, fans everywhere. I go right I see the fans, I go left I see them, wherever I go I see the fans.
‘It’s massive. It’s top level. I played for Barcelona and also Juventus and Milan, it’s the same thing, but I think this could be one step more.
‘To have the luck to play for such a big clubs, to play with big players, I don’t know how many players have had that luck. I had it, I won with them, and hopefully I can do it here,’ he added.
While the Swedish striker has been unsuccessfully courted by Premier League clubs in the past, he felt that he could not turn down Manchester United.
‘It was the moment to come to England, and who would not come to Manchester United? I don’t believe there is anybody who could say no to a club like Manchester United… Even the name sounds cool. I’m super excited.’
‘I will never turn down a challenge, so when this challenge was presented to me I would never turn it down. I am not like many others who have it good and know they can perform at the top and would never change,’ he added.
‘The only risk is if I don’t win. For me individually I don’t see a risk. I have nothing to prove or demonstrate. I have my career, I have done what I have done, performed as I have, and I bring that to England. It’s about coming and winning and making Manchester United shine again.’
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