After Zlatan Ibrahimovic announced his move to Manchester United on social media, a number of former players, coaches and pundits had their say on the transfer. This is the first time Ibrahimovic will play in the Premier League although he almost signed for Arsenal when he was a teenager.
Ibrahimovic was a free agent after his contract at Paris Saint-Germain had expired. The Swedish striker spent four seasons at the Ligue 1 club and finished his longest spell at any club with 156 goals in 180 games, winning 12 trophies – including four consecutive league titles.
It has been one of football’s worst kept secrets, although Manchester United are yet to confirm the news themselves. But the main reason why Ibrahimovic waited till 30 June was so he’d get a loyalty bonus from PSG if he did not sign a contract with any club until the end of his contract.
Following his updates on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, here's how prominent football personalities reacted.
Eden Hazard is already looking forward to next season
“The Premier League will once again welcome another world-class star,” Hazard said. “And I can't wait for the Premier League to start up again.
“It will be tricky to win the Premier League this season with all of the opposition that there is and that's what makes the competition even greater.”
Gary Lineker can’t wait to start with Match of the Day next season
Rio Ferdinand believes Ibrahimovic is exactly the type of player the Red Devils’ dressing room needs
Full quote: “Zlatan looks a little happy to be joining Manchester United! Great ability, character, ego, leader, personality for the club. And a proven winner. Timing.”
Patrick Vieira is convinced Manchester is now the ‘capital of football’
“He is a good friend of mine and we spent time together at Juventus and at Inter,” Vieira said. “We are still in touch once in a while and we have massive respect for each other.”
“He is a winner, a guy who can drive the team because of his character and that is a very good signing for Manchester United. I will wish him good luck and I will be following him.
“Look at the two managers in Manchester; look at Ibrahimovic; [Sergio] Aguero on one side, [David] Silva, [Wayne] Rooney. I think Manchester is the capital of football.”
Phil Neville is speechless but over the moon
Jamie Redknapp is concerned over Marcus Rashford’s future
“I can’t help but wish he had come here five years earlier,” Redknapp said in his column on Daily Mail.
“There is concern among United fans about Mourinho’s apparent disregard for bringing through the next generation from youth teams, and that may be exacerbated by a signing like this. What does it mean for someone like Marcus Rashford, for example?”
But he believed Ibrahimovic would shoulder the burden to take United back to the top of the Premier League.
“If there’s one thing the Old Trafford faithful do love it’s a big character – a talisman. Just look how popular Eric Cantona was.”
India’s Robin Singh has already made plans
