- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opened the door to the return to Manchester United
- The 37-year-old striker left United 17 months ago to join MLS side LA Galaxy
- He said: ‘I could easily still play in Premier League. If United need me, I’m here’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic insisted he could still easily cut it in the Premier League, before teasing Manchester United by claiming he was ready to return to England if they ‘need’ him.
The Swedish striker, now 37, is currently plying his trade at MLS side LA Galaxy, where he is showing few signs of slowing down.
He netted 29 times in 53 appearances for United and two goals against rivals LAFC on Sunday took his tally for Galaxy this season to 22.
LA Galaxy’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opened the door to the return to Manchester United
United, meanwhile, have let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez leave this summer as they try and rebuild under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood are now their only senior striking options.
‘I could play easily in the Premier League. So if United needs me, I’m here,’ Ibrahimovic said. ‘But Galaxy has me so I’m sorry.’
Seventeen months have passed since Ibrahimovic left Old Trafford, in which time United have slipped further behind rivals Manchester City and Liverpool.
But despite his typical confidence the striker insisted he has no immediate plans to head back across the Atlantic.
‘Nah, I did my job in Europe,’ he said. ‘I enjoyed it, I have 33 trophies that I brought with me here and hopefully I can get something here. Then we’ll see where that adventure finishes.’
United were beaten 2-1 at home by Crystal Palace on Saturday to leave Solskjaer’s side with only one win from their opening three Premier League games.
Ibrahimovic still keeps an eye on his former side from Los Angeles, claiming: ‘I saw the last game and I think they were unlucky. If (Marcus Rashford) scored the penalty, it’s a different game, but a game in England is not finished until it’s finished. Anything can happen, especially in the last minutes where everything is in the heat of the moment.’
The 37-year-old spent two years at United before leaving last January to join LA Galaxy
Patrick van Aanholt scored a late winner at Old Trafford after the ball was lost by Paul Pogba, whose performances have once again been thrust into the spotlight.
The midfielder looks set to stay in England for at least another year after United resisted attempts by him and his agent Mino Raiola to force a move to Real Madrid.
Ibrahimovic and Pogba were close while both at United and the Swedish striker recently claimed it ‘made no sense’ for the club to keep the Frenchman if he wants to leave.
The pair still keep in touch, but Ibrahimovic stayed tight-lipped on what they discuss.
‘I speak with him. A lot of advice I give – but nothing I share with you,’ Ibrahimovic smiled.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is bereft of options up front with only three players to choose from
The 37-year-old also admitted he’s not surprised Wayne Rooney is cutting short his American adventure in favour of a return to England.
Rooney, who has spent the last year at MLS side DC United, will join Derby as a player-coach in January.
‘I’m not surprised (he’s going back). Absolutely not,’ Ibrahimovic said.
‘He came, he tried, he did his best and, yeah, he had patience. You need a lot of patience and it has finished the patience.’
The Swede added: ‘I’m in a different position than Wazza. Wazza is much younger than me. I am old but still dominating, still making the difference.’
source:dailymail