Outside pressure child’s play for Ibrahimovic
LONDON: Swedish star Zlatan Ibrahmovic says the pressure on him that comes from outside is like a kindergarten compared to the pressure he places on himself every time he trains or plays for Manchester United.
The 35-year-old striker – who has defied the sceptics who thought he was too old to flourish at United but has scored 14 goals in 20 English Premier League appearances – said the pressure he placed on himself was so immense because nothing less than winning counted.
Ibrahimovic, who joined United in the close season last year after a hugely successful period at French champions Paris St Germain, scored United’s equaliser in Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool which ended his side’s six match winning streak and leaves them 12 points behind leaders Chelsea.
“I think the pressure I have all around me is nothing compared to the pressure I put on myself,” said Ibrahimovic.
“I really want to do not perfect, more than perfect, every game even in training.
“I’m not happy if I don’t win in training so imagine what it’s like in the games.
“That is the pressure I put on myself and so your pressure becomes like a kindergarten for me.
“My pressure is really high. I’m not satisfied until I get what I want. What I want is to win.”
Ibrahimovic, who retired from international football following a disappointing Euro 2016 Finals, defended team-mate and the world’s most expensive player France midfielder Paul Pogba who was slammed for his below-par performance against Liverpool.
Ibrahimovic said although he didn’t know Pogba that well he felt he could handle pressure too.
“Pressure is something I enjoy,” said Ibrahimovic.
“I don’t know Paul personally to be able to answer that for him.
“But I think he likes it also because, without pressure we would not be on our toes at the top level.
“If you want to play at the top, pressure is 24 hours and if you play well or better the pressure becomes even greater.
“So it’s something that we learn from and something we have to handle because we belong to the top, Paul belongs to the top absolutely and the pressure will be there.”