London (AFP) – Zlatan Ibrahimovic believes
his goal-scoring form for Manchester United has forced his critics to eat their
words.
There
were fears that, aged 35, the former Paris Saint-Germain star would struggle to
cope with the ferocious pace of the Premier League.
But
he has risen to the challenge in style, scoring 17 goals in his first 27
appearances for the club to keep United within sight of the Champions League
places.
“I
feel good,” he said in comments published by several British newspapers on
Monday. “I don’t know how many years I have left, but I am enjoying the
football.
“I
came to the Premier League and everyone thought it would not be possible, but
like always, I make them eat their balls.
“It
gives me a lot of energy, trust me, because they get paid to talk s*** and I
get paid to play with my feet. That’s how I enjoy it.
“Every
year they (Premier League clubs) have been calling me and it was not feeling
good, so I wanted to come when everyone thought I was over.”
Ibrahimovic
was denied what would have been his 51st goal of 2016 when he had a volley
chalked off for a high foot during United’s 2-1 win over Middlesbrough on
Saturday.
Referee
Lee Mason’s decision meant Ibrahimovic failed to match Lionel Messi’s tally for
the year, but the former Sweden striker shrugged it off.
“Why
he whistled, I don’t know,” he said. “At first he gave the goal and after 30
seconds, he changed his mind.
“There
was not a lot to say to him because if you open your mouth, they give you a
yellow. But I think I had a fantastic year. I’m not complaining.
“I
came to United and my first six months here have been more than amazing. That
(the record) was not important. For me, the win is the same if I would beat
Messi or not.”
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