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.
In typical fashion, the charismatic forward announced his transfer and didn't wait for the official red tape.
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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.
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'.
"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."
Woodward, who left United in 2022, thought it was vital United announce transfers with pomp and circumstance.
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.”
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.
Topics: Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Manchester United, Premier League
Daniel Marland