Happy international break Manchester United supporters. The Red Devils will be out of action until November 24th, when they’ll resume their Premier League season with a visit to Sheffield United. Then it won’t be long until festive period fixture congestion ensues.
So let’s take a look at what is currently making the internet rounds, in the world of MUFC, on this Friday. For part one of our MUFC news and notes, go to this link.
We start with another item on former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said that his club might have attempted to sign the Swede had it not been for his past tenure with their arch-rivals.
“If he hadn’t played for Manchester United, then we might have considered him,” Klopp told Swedish publication Sportbladet, “but I’m not even sure he would have wanted to play here — we’re a pretty intense team,” the Liverpool coach laughed.
“With that said, I couldn’t have had more respect for Zlatan. I love his whole career, love his efforts, love his confidence.”
The remark about Ibrahimovic and intensity is interesting, because Ibra refused to play a lot of games in MLS where the playing surface was artificial turf. Zlatan also made some slams against his former club, L.A. Galaxy and Major League Soccer a couple weeks before he headed for the exit door.
At some point, people will tire of his narcissism and desperate attention-seeking…hopefully.
Reports in Italy are linking the supercilious Swede with a return back to AC Milan. However, Napoli and Bologna could be in the mix too. United aren’t really in the picture, and that’s a good thing.
Elsewhere’s United’s long (maybe farcical?) search for a Football Director continues, as yet another potential candidate is ruled out.
Club legend and former United goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar had been strongly linked with the gig, but it’s not going to happen, as he’s renewed his deal with Ajax.
He’ll stay on as the club CEO until 2023, having just signed a new contract extension.
Finally, Alexis Sanchez, the bust of all Man United busts, is currently on loan at Inter Milan. He’s been such a disaster that United were willing to pay to have him not play for them. Now they’re desperate for him to go away for good, really wanting Inter to pick him up permanently; according to this report.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, the author of “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry,” regularly appears on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
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