Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he offered to stay at the club without taking any wages.
The legendary Swedish international spent two seasons at the Old Trafford club, establishing himself as a crowd favourite and quickly proving his skill in the Premier League.
However, towards the end of his first campaign with United, Ibrahimovic suffered a career-threatening injury which ruined his chances of playing regularly for the club again.
Released at the end of his contract in July last year, the striker then re-signed with United on a year’s contract but he was harmoniously released half-way through in order for the player to move to MLS side LA Galaxy.
Speaking to reporters (via BBC Sport), Ibrahimovic has confirmed that he did speak to the club about playing for them without payment on his return to the club.
“The situation was not about having a contract and earning money,” says Ibrahimovic.
“It was all the opposite. I said I don’t want a salary, you keep it.”
The striker also spoke about how he was mentally prepared to return to first-team action before he was physically able to.
“The mind can be ready but the knee was not ready.”
“When I was ready, I said to myself ‘I am not there’,” he said.
“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.”
LA Galaxy’s next game is against Philadelphia away on July 22.
The post Zlatan Ibrahimovic admitted he requested to go without Man Utd wages appeared first on Squawka News.
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