Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Sir Alex Ferguson would have turned down transfer for Swedish veteran ‘nine times out of ten’
Ex No 2 Rene Meulensteen says the Scot would have feared for the impact on youngsters like Marcus Rashford, 18
ALEX FERGUSON would have turned down a deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic “nine times out of ten”.
That is according to Rene Meulensteen, who says the Scot would have feared for the impact on youngsters like Marcus Rashford, 18.
Dutch coach Meulensteen, Fergie’s Manchester United No 2 for six years, insisted: “Maybe nine times out of ten he would not have made a decision like this.
“That is because of everything that Alex Ferguson wanted to do with youngsters — bring them through and improve them as players.
“But if he felt the situation was there for the one time out of ten, he would do it. Like bringing in Laurent Blanc, a player in his 30s, after Jaap Stam left.
“It’s a similar scenario.
“To be successful is about who is available right now. Then, as a manager, you are judged on the results.
“You ask ‘Is it the quality we need? Does it fit the situation?’
“In this situation he brings a bit more charisma and personality. Jose Mourinho has worked with him before and had no hesitation signing him.”
Blanc, Teddy Sheringham and Henrik Larsson were all in their 30s when Fergie signed them — and Robin van Persie was 29 when he arrived from Arsenal four years ago.
Now all eyes will be on whether Ibrahimovic, 34, will be like the RVP that won the title in Fergie’s final season — or the flop under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
Meulensteen, 52, said: “It is like the Van Persie deal.
“Obviously, the strategy was trying to bring in young talented players with potential and build it — but with Van Persie it was a different reason. He had desire and was a winner. Sometimes the decisions are made as they fit the situation with the club.
“Robin was a proven player. If you look at Ibrahimovic, there is a slight risk as he has never played in the Premier League.
“He will find that not one of the top-four teams will go to the bottom four and pick up easy points. These are different challenges.
“How I look at it is that he has been in so many different leagues and he’s lived up to his reputation everywhere.
“And I’m sure if he does stay fit and he’s managed well, he will make a difference.”
Meulensteen insists 30-year-old Wayne Rooney still has a big role to play at United.
He added: “Even at the Euros he played quite well.
“He will be very useful for United and I know Mourinho is a big fan.”