Zlatan Ibrahimovic dodges Man U speculation

Solna (Sweden) (AFP) – Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahimovic on Thursday refused to comment on speculation he is set to join Manchester United, where Jose Mourinho is on the verge of becoming the new manager.

Ibrahimovic, 34, said he knew where he would be playing football next season having left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of this season, but would not say where that will be.

“Yes, I have made my choice,” Ibrahimovic told a press conference at a training camp near Stockholm for the Swedish national team ahead of Euro 2016. 

He said he had decided “long ago” but dodged all questions about whether that team was Manchester United.

However, when asked a direct question about whether he has received an offer from United, Ibrahimovic’s hesitancy in answering spoke volumes.

He drummed his fingers on the table, smiled and eventually replied: “Let’s see what happens.”

However, he suggested it was far from a done deal that he would play in the Premier League next season.

“There are concrete offers from England, Italy… all countries. There are even some from outside Europe,” he said.

“There are many, many alternatives.” 

But when asked whether he was tempted to work again with Mourinho, Ibrahimovic said only that they had worked well together at Inter Milan, where the Swede played from 2006 to 2009. 

“I think it’s a great move,” for Manchester United to hire Mourinho, he said.  

“You want action, you bring Mourinho. I believe he’s the man to bring them back to the top. Wherever he went he won.

“I had a fantastic time with him, when I was working with him. So, working again with him… When I left Inter with him I said we had a short time together… If we will work again I don’t know.”