Since Zlatan Ibrahimovic joined Manchester United he’s netted 12 goals for the club, 13 if his Community Shield effort is counted, it’s not a bad return at all but to say everything has gone swimmingly would be misleading.
Ibrahimovic has failed to make an impact on several games and missed his fair share of chances, some of which have cost Manchester United valuable points.
It’s been a big change for Ibrahimovic, he was the undoubted king at PSG and whilst he may be trying to wrestle that status at Manchester United, he’s simply not as important to the club, or to the Premier League as a whole, as he was to PSG and Ligue 1.
That means he’s more questioned, there’s more doubt, less fear that criticising Zlatan could lead to a nasty fate. Speaking on Betway’s Insider Podcast, French journalist Julien Laurens provided some insight on the changes Ibrahimovic has faced at a late stage of his career.
“The guy is 35, I think people forget that he’s 35 years of age… although he is a force of nature for a 35 year old.
“He sacked the cook (at PSG), he parked his car in front of the entrance because he wasn’t happy with where they asked him to park.”
With some Manchester United fans complaining the striker comes across as lazy, Laurens explained: “That’s Ibra, when you signed him you knew he wasn’t going to change. However, I think he’s less lazy now than he used to be at PSG.”
Ibrahimovic is working harder than during his time in France and even Italy, believes Laurens, and making himself more of a team player, rather than trying to be the star constantly.
On missing chances, Laurens explained it’s something which happens to all strikers, but maybe Ibrahimovic is so confident it could hamper him at times: “Always, it’s always been like this, because he’s the most arrogant, cocky, complacent-guy footballer in the whole world.
“He takes a chance and thinks: I’m going to score easily.”
That confidence carries on to the second chance, and as long as he scores by the third, it’ll work out for his team.
The repeated claims that Ligue 1 is a poor level irritate Laurens, and the Frenchman believes the perception is a little wrong, pointing out that “Monaco humiliated Tottenham over 2 games”.
Listen the full podcast, in which Laurens gets sweary about the English opinion of Ligue 1, and highlights some possible incoming transfers from France.
