Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed the conversation that took place between himself and Romelu Lukaku about the no.9 shirt at Old Trafford.
Ibrahimovic was no.9 last season and netted 28 goals for the Red Devils after a free transfer move following his departure from Paris St Germain last summer.
The 35-year-old’s campaign, though, was prematurely cut short by a knee ligament injury suffered in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Anderlecht on April 20.
However, after initially looking set to depart Old Trafford having not been offered another year, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday a new deal had now been agreed.
Since Ibrahimovic’s departure there have been some big names come and go at the Premier League most notably the arrival of Romelu Lukaka and the departure of club legend Wayne Rooney.
During an interview with ESPN the Swedish veteran explained the conversation between himself and Lukaku about who gets the no.9 shirt and Swede’s answer is classic Zlatan.
EXCLUSIVE: Zlatan gave Romelu Lukaku the No.9 shirt because he's "upgrading" to No.10 ?
Full 10-minute interview: https://t.co/e4inQG9HTp pic.twitter.com/yeUO8SUson
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) August 24, 2017
Also during the interview Ibrahimovic revealed it was always his first choice to sign up again with United, but there was a “big chance” of joining the Major League Soccer after his Old Trafford swansong.
“There were a couple of teams reaching out, wanting ‘Ibra-kadabra’ in their team, but I had such a great year with United, we had a great year, we won three trophies. Fantastic guys, great club,” he said.
“I’m in a situation where I have to think 360 degrees around me. Everybody is happy about this and I’m super happy,” he said. “I come back to finish what I started.
“From my first year the team has been winning trophies and learning the sacrifice it takes to win a trophy, and the mental part and that is what I think the coach brought the team, the mental thing and me as a player.”