EPL 2016/17: Zlatan Ibrahimovic is arrogant, according to Simon Kjaer

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Kjaer and Zlatan got into a heated argument during United’s Europa League clash with Fenerbahce

Fenerbahce defender, Simon Kjaer, has branded Manchester United striker, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as arrogant. The Red Devils faced the Turkish giants in the Europa League and were handed a surprising 2-1 defeat, much to the embarrassment of the self-proclaimed Special One, Jose Mourinho.

The game wasn’t without controversy as legendary Swedish striker was seen wrapping his hand around the neck of Danish defender, Simon Kjaer, who later went on to insist that the former AC Milan striker wasn’t happy at all.

Also read: EPL 2016/17: Why Zlatan Ibrahimovic will come good for Manchester United

"I actually didn't hear what he said but I do know that he wasn't happy," Kjaer was heard saying to Swedish Channel 9. “But that's the way I know him from the pitch.

"He is the kind of chest-puffing player, who is arrogant. That is his way of playing.”

The former Roma loanee then went on to reveal his philosophy when it comes to marking players like the former Paris Saint-Germain star, revealing that he tries to give them as little space to breathe as possible since such players could do a lot of damage with a minimum amount of space and time.

“My way of playing is to mark him as tightly as possible and to give him as little space as possible, because he is a good player.”

Finally, the former Wolfsburg defender admitted that scuffles like these are a part of football and shouldn’t be taken seriously, especially because he faced Ibrahimovic in the past and already knew about his personality on the pitch.

“It is a part of football and I don't take it too seriously. It's not the first time I've played against him and I know how he reacts. It is not a problem. It is, like I said, a part of the game.”

Also read: Reports: Jose Mourinho set to axe eight Manchester United players

These comments by Kjaer shouldn’t come off as a surprise since there are also a few others who share the same opinion as the Dane. And if United’s performances are taken into consideration, one can understand the source of the former Barcelona forward’s frustration.

Manchester United are currently 8th in the Premier League, 8 points behind league leaders and eternal rivals, Manchester City, and exactly the same number of points above 18th place, Hull City. Things haven’t been so pleasant in Europe as well as the Red Devils find themselves in the third spot, with 6 points from four games.

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Edited by Staff Editor