Cristiano Ronaldo has been an outspoken figure in the soccer world. He recently expressed his opinion on Manchester United and called out several individuals. Ronaldo primarily criticized the Glazers and coach Erik ten Hag. He also got back at former United legends such as Gary Neville and Wayne Rooney. The club released an official statement on the 37-year-old but is yet to take an action. However, United’s problems have existed ever since Sir Alex Ferguson’s departure.
Ronaldo is not the first one to raise the issues related to Manchester United. Former United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic once gave an insight into the club’s mentality.
Ronaldo has recently blasted the club’s owners for not caring about the club. He even went on to label the club as a ‘marketing club’ for the owners. The club, in a statement, said that it would ‘ consider its response after the full facts have been established’.
“Hard for Manchester to Be in the Top” – Cristiano Ronaldo Reveals More Inside Details on How the Owners of the Club Have Spoil the Culture
AC Milan’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who previously played for Manchester United, had once called out the club. He blamed the club’s mentality and admitted to facing problems within the club.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic called out Manchester United even before Cristiano Ronaldo
Former Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic once revealed that the club deducted £1 from his salary for a fruit juice. He also admitted that his opinion of United being a top club changed when he joined them in 2016.
“One thing surprised me: everyone thinks of 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,” Ibrahimovic wrote in his autobiography via The Athletic.
Zlatan then explained the incident where the club deducted a pound from his salary for a juice bought on an away trip.
“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 realized they’d taken a pound off my monthly wage,” Zlatan wrote.
“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 recognize me, you’re in the wrong job.’”
Zlatan said this about his time at Man United 🤔 pic.twitter.com/Ob12EPmqii
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 14, 2022
While the amount deducted may not have been a big one for Zlatan, it indeed is surprising from a club like Manchester United. He also claimed that such incidents would never happen in Italy.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s stint with Manchester United
The Swedish superstar signed with United in 2016 after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent. He was given the number 9 jersey at Old Trafford. After spending a season with the Red Devils, he signed a 1-year extension with the club. However, later that season, he terminated the contract and joined the LA Galaxy in the MLS.
Ibrahimovic won three trophies with United in two seasons: UEFA Europa League, EFL Cup and the Community Shield. The Europa League was his the first European trophy of his career. He currently plies his trade in Italy, playing for AC Milan.
