On Thursday report broke that Manchester United had re-signed 35-year-old Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one-year deal.
The former Paris Saint-Germain striker has been sidelined through injury since April after he suffered ligament damage in a Europa League clash against Anderlecht.
Ibrahimovic is making a speedy return but is still not expected to make his Premier League return until the end of October at the earliest.
The former Sweden international is making a speedy return but is still not expected to make his Premier League fixture until the end of October at least.
“I am back to finish what I started,” Ibrahimovic told United’s website. It was always mine and the club’s intention for me to stay.
“I cannot wait to get back out on that Old Trafford pitch, but I also know that I have to take my time to make sure that I am ready.
“I have been working hard and will continue to do so to make sure I am in the best possible condition for my return to the pitch.”
Joined the Old Trafford on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain, Ibrahimovic netted 28 times in 46 appearances in his first season in England.
Fans were flabbergasted when The Times revealed how much the 35-year-old veteran striker will be earning in his second season at Old Trafford.
According to The Times, Zlatan has taken a huge pay cut to rejoin United. Reported wages is now £125k a week, previously it was £350k. pic.twitter.com/cO4v6gpix1
— Rahul Singh (@forevruntd) August 25, 2017
Zlatan really agreed to go down from 350k to 125k/pw. Salute to him
— hollow point tips (@freejaey) August 24, 2017
Zlatan really agreed to go down from 350k to 125k/pw. Salute to him
— hollow point tips (@freejaey) August 24, 2017
Zlatan went from being on 350k/week to 125k/week just to win the Premier League. Top top mentality. Winner.
— Shihab (@Shihab06) August 24, 2017
Ibra's wages gone from £350k to £125k with this new deal say the Times. Says alot about him. Plenty would just take big money elsewhere.
— Hayles (@Hayles_101) August 24, 2017
Zlatan earning the same amount as Young and Lingard. You can't make this stuff up ???
— Shihab (@Shihab06) August 24, 2017
Still don't buy it. 125k is too less for his stature
— Arjun (@arjrah) August 25, 2017
IBRA could easily earn £400k a week in China so him accepting £125k a week if true shows that he doesn't really care about the money
— Shabaz (@DeadIyJuan) August 24, 2017
Zlatan was United’s highest earner last season but has taken a major pay-cut in order to continue alongside Jose Mourinho.
Friday’s edition of The Times reads as follows:
“He [Ibrahimovic] signed a one-year deal that, it is understood, amounts to about £125,000 a week, compared with the £350,000 a week contract that brought him to Old Trafford last summer.”
Not in a strong negotiating position due to his injury, Ibrahimovic will now be earning little more than £100k-a-week man Jesse Lingard.
The legendary Swedish striker definitely could earn a better salary elsewhere but probably feels he has unfinished business at the Old Trafford club.
Fans on Twitter were astounded by news of Ibrahimovic’s new deal:
Retired Arsenal legend Thierry Henry believes Ibrahimovic still has fire in his belly.
“They kept Zlatan, but I think Zlatan takes it as a challenge that he has with himself. I think he wants to do more, and he still didn’t win the league,” Henry told Sky Sports.
“I know that he wants to win the Premier League, to make England another country that he conquered.
Ibrahimovic has won league titles in Holland, Italy, Spain and France – He definitely has unfinished business in England.