Zlatan Ibrahimovic Set For A New Role At United
Reuters / Andrew Yates
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted at the possibility of starring in a new role for Manchester United, as he gets set to make his eagerly awaited comeback from a long-term injury.
Last season, the Swedish legend starred as United’s main focal point, scoring 28 goals in all competitions before an ACL tear cut short his season and put his future in the sport in doubt. However, in typical Ibra fashion, he fought back, and has resumed full training well ahead of schedule.
However, when he does return, it is likely that the 36-year-old will take up a new position on the pitch as compared to last season.
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With former captain Wayne Rooney leaving for Everton, and Romelu Lukaku arriving last summer, the Belgian currently occupies Ibrahimovic’s number 9 shirt as well as his place as United’s main focal point.
However, Rooney’s departure led to the legendary number 10 shirt being vacated, and Zlatan jumped at the chance to inherit it. And in a recent interview, he has admitted that he has always felt like a no. 10 – a player that is traditionally the team’s main man.
“To me, number 10 is the star,” said Ibrahimovic. “The one who makes the difference, gets noticed, wins the matches and is the leader. And I see myself in that position but it is not something that is given to you, it is just something you are, that’s just the way it is.
“To be honest, it is like a trigger for me coming back from that injury. Because I wore the number 10 on the Swedish national team and PSG.
“I would have worn it at Inter but I soon moved to Barcelona. I wanted it in Milan but took another number out of respect. In Ajax I didn’t have it. I feel like a ten and I stand for number 10. It will go down in history that I always had number 10.”
Manchester United fan, Wayne Rooney is his role model. Passionate writer who has written for several sites in the past. He’s also an aspiring pianist and creates background music for BlameFootball’s Youtube channel.