‘Man United have a small club mentality’ — Zlatan Ibrahimovic blasts the club
Former Manchester United star, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, has said that Manchester United have a ‘small club mentality’, following an experience he had during his days at Old Trafford.
The Swedish striker, who is known for his controversial nature, made this known in his autobiography, which he titles, ‘Adrenaline’. In the book, he narrates a time he was charged £1 for drinking a fruit juice — something he felt should have been free.
In his own words, “One thing surprised me: everyone thinks of [Manchester] United as a top club, one of the richest and most powerful in the world and seen from the outside it looked that way to me.
“But once I was there I found a small, closed mentality.
“One day I was in the hotel with the team before a game. I got thirsty so I opened the mini-bar and had a fruit juice.
“We played and then went home. Some time went by. My pay slip arrives. Normally I don’t look at it.
“I only do so at the end of the year to see what’s come in and what’s gone out. But that time, I don’t know why, I was curious and realised they’d taken a pound off my monthly wage.”
Zlatan, who joined United in 2016, added: “I called the team manager: ‘Excuse me, why have they taken a pound off my salary.’
He continued, “Can you believe it? A quid? Something like that would never happen in Italy. These are the details that make a difference and earn the respect of the players.
“Every day I was asked to show my papers just to get into the training ground. I’d lower my window and say to the person at the gate: ‘Listen my friend I’ve been coming here every day for a month. I’m the best player in the world. If you still don’t recognise me, you’re in the wrong job.’”
Zlatan won a number of trophies while at Man United, including the FA Community Shield, the League Cup and the Europa League.