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Zlatan Ibrahimovic Offered To Play For Free At Manchester United

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Offered To Play For Free At Manchester United

The striker sustained a serious knee injury during the end of his United spell.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he offered to play for free at Manchester United.

The Swedish hero netted an impressive 28 goals in all competitions in his first season at Old Trafford, helping United bag silverware in the shape of the EFL and UEFA Cup.

However, he endured a completely different campaign the season after as a result of a serious injury he sustained during United's Europa League run.

Ibhrahimovic stricken on the floor. Image: PA
Ibhrahimovic stricken on the floor. Image: PA

Ibrahimovic ruptured his cruciate ligament. But he returned ahead of schedule after undergoing knee surgery.

Despite returning to the fold, he wasn't happy with his physical condition and even told Jose Mourinho to avoid selecting him as he wasn't ready.

"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'," he told the BBC.

Ibrahimovic added: "The mind can be ready but the knee was not ready.

"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 team-mates and the coach. Select someone else who can do the job better.' I stood up and did it, even if I am Zlatan."

Galaxy's Ibrahimovic. Image: PA
Galaxy's Ibrahimovic. Image: PA
Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring a goal. Image: PA
Ibrahimovic celebrates scoring a goal. Image: PA

The 36-year-old eventually secured a free transfer to LA Galaxy after playing just seven games, scoring one goal, for United last season.

Ibrahimovic - formerly of Juventus, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain, among others, is now pocketing a cool £850,000 yearly at Galaxy since agreeing to a pay-cut.

He's enjoying his stint in the States, chipping in with 11 goals from 14 games which includes a typically outrageous goal on his debut.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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