Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he turned down the chance to work with David Beckham in America to join Manchester United this summer.
The prolific 34-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season following another successful campaign in Ligue 1, and was subsequently linked with a move to Old Trafford to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho. He completed the switch earlier this month on a one-year deal, but there were other offers on the table.
Beckham, formerly of United, PSG and Real Madrid, has finally secured land for his Miami-based franchise’s stadium and hopes to join MLS in 2018, offering Ibrahimovic the chance to play for the club. However such was his desire to play in the Premier League, the striker snubbed the opportunity, before refusing to rule out a future move.
“David is a good friend of mine, and he has asked me to play for his (Miami) team,” Ibrahimovic told Goal. “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.
“I would never rule out the MLS in the future. I have a contract with Manchester United, but I feel in great shape.”
The former Sweden international scored 38 goals and created 45 chances in 31 Ligue 1 appearances last term, with a shot accuracy of 60% and an average pass accuracy of 79%, helping PSG to yet another title on 96 points, 31 clear of nearest challengers Lyon and Monaco.
As for his new club, United finished fifth in the Premier League on 66 points, level with Manchester City in fourth but with an inferior goal difference, subsequently missing out on the Champions League. Although they won the FA Cup a week later, it wasn’t enough for Louis van Gaal to keep his job, with Mourinho replacing him back in May.
The Red Devils, who’ve also secured the signings of Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan this summer, begin next season with the Community Shield clash against champions Leicester City at Wembley, before travelling to Bournemouth for their opening league fixture a week later.
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