• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Man Utd hero 'ruined' his transfer announcement and cost the club £5 million, received furious message

Home> Football> Football News> Man Utd

Published 15:19 10 Nov 2023 GMT

Man Utd hero 'ruined' his transfer announcement and cost the club £5 million, received furious message

“If the deal goes down now, then that’s it, we’ll let it go. I’m the one who did the wrong thing. I apologise once again.”

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed how he 'ruined' a £5 million PR plan Manchester United had in place to announce his arrival at the club.

The Sweden icon left Paris Saint-Germain in 2016 and decided to have a crack at the Premier League with United and longtime associate Jose Mourinho.

Ibrahimovic's spell at Old Trafford went down a treat, winning over supporters with 28 goals in his debut season en route to winning the Carabao Cup and Europa League.

Advert

In typical fashion, the charismatic forward announced his transfer and didn't wait for the official red tape.

He took to Twitter and told his followers: "Time to let the world know. My next destination is @ManUtd."

While it appeared to be the first part of an elaborate announcement, Ibrahimovic said it caused chaos among the United hierarchy.

Advert

It saw agent Mino Raiola want to 'kill him' as Red Devils chief executive Ed Woodward lit up his phone with furious messages.

The 42-year-old admitted he was ready to accept the transfer falling through after growing impatient.

"I'm going to go on Instagram and write, 'My next club will be Manchester United,'" he wrote in 'Adrenaline: My Untold Stories'.

Ibrahimovic's time in England was short but sweet. (Image
Getty)

Advert

"I was so tired of the negotiations that I didn't think Manchester [United] was listed on the stock exchange.

"You may not make similar announcements if the matter is not clear. All hell broke loose. Mino wanted to kill me."

Ibrahimovic added: "It's just my fault, Mino Raiola had nothing to do with it. I lost my patience, that’s all. It felt like I was standing in quicksand trying to do something to take me forward, without thinking about the consequences.

"If the deal goes down now, then that's it, we'll let it go. I'm the one who did the wrong thing. I apologise once again."

Advert

Woodward, who left United in 2022, thought it was vital United announce transfers with pomp and circumstance.

Woodward alongside former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. (Image
Getty)

It's something that'd come back to haunt them, as Alexis Sanchez playing the piano in 2018 proved.

When asked about the message he received from Woodward in more detail, Ibrahimovic continued: "You've ruined a £5 million PR plan. They had planned a surprise campaign and a presentation with special effects a la Hollywood. And I ruined everything with an update on social media.”

Advert

Ibrahimovic eventually a taste of Hollywood, leaving United for MLS outfit LA Galaxy in 2018.

He retired earlier this year after a second stint with AC Milan, who he won the Serie A title with in 2022.

Featured Image Credit: Getty Images

Topics: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United, Premier League

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Advert

Advert

Advert

Choose your content:

2 hours ago
3 hours ago
5 hours ago
  • 2 hours ago

    ITV forced to apologise TWICE on behalf of Tyson Fury after what he said live-on-air during Soccer Aid

    Fury was interviewed on-air at Old Trafford - with perhaps an expected result...

    Football
  • 2 hours ago

    Thomas Tuchel told to call up player to his next England squad as fans say already he's outgrown U21 side

    The England boss has been told to promote a talented U21 after his recent performances.

    Football
  • 3 hours ago

    Jack Grealish ‘pranked’ into paying fan’s bill on holiday as TikTok goes viral

    The Man City star has been brutally pranked as his teammates prepare for the Club World Cup

    Football
  • 5 hours ago

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts from Real Madrid after signing contract with the club

    Trent Alexander-Arnold received two gifts following his transfer to Real Madrid.

    Football
  • Man Utd drop major transfer hint during kit announcement
  • Andy Robertson calls out Man Utd over major transfer mistake which has already 'cost' the club millions
  • Three Premier League teams 'in talks' over Alejandro Garnacho transfer as Man Utd star names club he wants to join
  • Fred 'wanted' by Premier League club as ex-Man Utd star transfer listed by Jose Mourinho