Feud with Guardiola at Barcelona still spurs me on, says Man United striker Ibrahimovic
Manchester United star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that his differences with the then Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola continues to drive him on.
The Sweden striker moved from Inter Milan to Camp Nou in 2009, but he lasted only for one season at Barcelona and was moved to AC Milan due to a fall out with Guardiola.
Ibrahimovic, who has always been outspoken in his criticism of Guardiola since then, said that although the duo has moved on from their feud, he remains motivated as he prepares to face current Manchester City manager once again in the derby next month.
“I learned from Barcelona, both on and off the pitch. I learned that in football any situation can change in 24 hours,” the Guardian quoted Ibrahimovic as saying.
“The problem wasn’t with me, it was with him, and he never came to terms with it. I don’t know what his problem was with me. It is something that drives me, gives me adrenaline and extra motivation. It is normal after what has happened. I’m using it as a positive, not negative,” he added.
United will head to the Etihad Stadium on April 7 in what could be a crucial clash in the battle for the top four in Premier League.
VERATTI LOOKS FOR TOP EUROPEAN CLUB
MILAN: Midfielder Marco Verratti could be set for a summer move to a “top European club” after his agent rated his chances of remaining with Paris Saint Germain next season as “very complicated”.
“It’s a very complicated situation, in spite of his contract with the club until 2021,” Verratti’s agent Donato Di Campli told La Gazzetta dello Sport on Wednesday.
“He wants to win trophies, and PSG, as they are now, can’t win.
“He’s been with Paris for five years and now he’s starting to wonder whether it’s better earning a lot (of money) and not winning anything, or to start winning trophies.”
Verratti has won four consecutive league titles with the Ligue 1 giants since joining the club from Pescara, in the process forging a reputation as one of the best creative midfielders in the world.
But PSG’s failure to make an impact in Europe, in spite of huge investment by the club’s Qatari owners, has left the 24-year-old midfielder disillusioned.
Poised to cruise into the last eight of the Champions League following a sensational 4-0 rout of Barcelona in the first leg of their last 16 clash, PSG were dramatically overhauled 6-1 in the second leg less than a fortnight ago.
It was hailed as one of the most remarkable comebacks in sport, but left Verratti with doubts over his commitment to Unai Emery’s side.
Reports in Italy claim Verratti, who has never played in Serie A, could join Juventus. On their way to a record sixth consecutive Serie A title, the Turin giants will also meet Barcelona in the Champions League quarter-finals.
But Di Campli added: “There are a few interested (clubs) in Italy, but I have doubts that will be his final destination.
“It’s not about money: whichever club takes Verratti will pay him well. Because, I can tell you this for certain: if he leaves PSG it will be for a top European club.”
Asked if Verratti would head to Spain, England or Germany, his agent said: “A top European club.”
WENGER DENIES MOVE TO PARIS ST GERMAIN
PARIS: Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has denied he has been offered a two-year deal to become coach at Paris Saint-Germain.
Speaking to Beinsports channel, the Frenchman said the reports in the British press are “fake news.”
Wenger said last week he has reached a decision on whether he will stay at the Premier League club beyond this season, and will announce it publicly “very soon.”
The 67-year-old Wenger, who has been in his position since 1996, is under increased pressure after Arsenal’s 3-1 loss at West Bromwich Albion that saw the team drop to sixth place. It was Arsenal’s fourth loss in five Premier League games.
In the last month, Arsenal has been eliminated from the Champions League by Bayern Munich 10-2 on aggregate and only won two games -- both against fifthtier teams in the FA Cup. Arsenal is further than ever from winning the Premier League title for the first time since 2004 and is six points adrift of the fourth Champions League place.
“It is a false rumor. That is what you call fake news,” Wenger said when asked about the reported offer from PSG. “I formally deny it. It is not true.”
Wenger’s contract with Arsenal expires at the end of the season.
He said last year that he rejected offers from the French champions after L’Equipe newspaper reported that PSG had made three approaches since Qatar Sports Investments took over the club in 2011.
“I know well the owners, but I feel always I remained loyal to Arsenal football club because I think it’s a club that has the qualities I love,” Wenger said.