Former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimović has defended the Glazers in his recent exclusive interview with Piers Morgan.
The 42-year-old retired from professional football back in June but is considered to be one of the best strikers of all time and remains a global sporting icon, so naturally when the controversial journalist and former Good Morning Britain host had the opportunity to speak with him, he didn’t pass it up.
During a nearly two-hour conversation, the pair discussed everything from Zlatan’s decorated career and recent retirement to Saudi Arabia, his fraught relationship with current Manchester City and ex-Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola, his time at Old Trafford and much more.
When it came to the subject of Man United and how Erik ten Hag is faring at present, Piers pressed the ex-Swedish international on what he made of the club during his time there and why things aren’t going so well at the moment.
"I think it's a little bit wrong saying that they are not doing what the fans expect them to do."
— Piers Morgan Uncensored (@PiersUncensored) October 5, 2023
Zlatan has his say on the Glazers.
In contrast to his fellow former United star Cristiano Ronaldo, who famously said that he believes the Glazers “don’t care” about the club and the fans, Zlatan argued the other side somewhat.
“I think now in, I don’t know, there are some kind of demonstrations about the owners to sell it and that, but just a reminder, the owners are investing”, says Ibra.
He continued by insisting, “It’s not like they are not investing because they brought in many players for a high amount of money, so I think it’s a little bit wrong saying that they are not doing what the fans expect them to do… I don’t know what the real reason is behind everything.”
As for the coach, with whom he shared a connection as both spent formative years at Ajax, despite Morgan suggesting that the Dutchman may be “out of his depth”, Zlatan argued that he “needs time” to get used to a different situation — time being a commodity not many are afforded in the Premier League.
Extrapolating from his own time there where he claims everyone was too focused on “what Fergie would have done”, he did note that there was a leadership gap between the manager and the people above him, going on to suggest that this is still part of the problem for ten Hag‘s team.
While it was clear he had lots of time and respect for the likes of ten Hag and his long-time coach Jose Mourinho — the man who was also responsible for bringing him to Manchester — the footballing veteran had much less glowing things to say about Guardiola.
Recounting a period when he had been benched by the Catalan coach, the big number nine explained how he ended up arriving at training in a Ferrari knowing full well it would cause a “situation” and that their issues soon became personal rather than professional.
Kolo Touré joins Manchester City’s backroom staff on a permanent basis
Danny Jones
Former Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool defender, Kolo Touré, has now permanently re-joined the club as a first-team coach.
The retired centre-back, who finished his career at Scottish giants Celtic FC before hanging up his boots back in 2017 and becoming part of their backroom staff, has been working with Man City as part of the FIFA Club World Cup set-up.
Having clearly impressed on the road, not to mention having spent last season as Assistant Lead Coach alongside U18s boss Oliver Reiss – with the youth side winning the Premier League North title – the 44-year-old has now been given an assistant coaching job with the senior squad on a full-time basis.
Announced on Tuesday, 15 July, ahead of City’s pre-season tour getting underway next month, Kolo Touré is the latest among multiple recent appointments to manager Pep Guardiola’s ranks.
Hailing from the Ivory Coast and having enjoyed a career spanning more than 15 years, he’s considered one of the greatest African players of all time, so it’s no question that he brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the role.
Touré, who made more than a century of appearances for the Blues, began his coaching journey with the national team before assisting Brendan Rodgers at both Celtic and Leicester City.
He also spent a rather short spell at another Greater Manchester side, being made head coach of Wigan Athletic in November 2022.
But it wasn’t to be…
The older brother of fellow City club legend, Yaya, was ultimately sacked around two months later (just 59 days, to be exact) after having failed to win a single fixture in his first name games in charge.
Kolo Touré taking instructions from Pep, the chemistry’s taking shape. Brilliant to see Kolo soaking it all in from the very best. He’s here for the long haul, man. You can feel it. pic.twitter.com/RscM9rg0GS
Commenting on Toure’s appointment as first-team assistant coach, Director of Football Hugo Viana said in an official club statement: “We’re delighted to permanently add Kolo to our first team coaching staff.
“Not only does he bring his immensely precious experience at football’s elite level, but he also has a deep connection with Manchester City and a deep knowledge of the Club.
“We’ve also been hugely impressed with his work and success with our Under-18s, and by adding him to our senior staff permanently, this will only strengthen the transition for players in our Academy into the first team.
“As we already saw throughout his time with Pep Guardiola, Pep Lijnders and James French this summer, his massive personality of optimism and positivity is hugely infectious and we’re already looking forward to his work moving forward.”
In case you were unfamiliar with the latter two names, you’ll find all you need to know down below.
England cricket legend Sir James Anderson joins Manchester Originals for The Hundred 2025
Danny Jones
England and Lancashire County Cricket (LCC) legend Sir James, a.k.a. ‘Jimmy’ Anderson, has officially signed for Manchester Originals ahead of this year’s The Hundred campaign.
What a statement from the Greater Manchester side.
Now 42, the knight of The Oval and the realm is in the twilight of his career, but you’ll struggle to find many others of his ability and sheer amount of experience anywhere else in the competition.
Selected by Manchester Originals as their wildcard pick for the 2025 tournament, Anderson is set to become the second-oldest pro to ever play in the history of The Hundred.
The fast-paced cricket format only began back in 2021, but has quickly gone on to become a fan favourite, with sell-out games over at the Emirates Old Trafford and, indeed, up and down the country.
Roping in veterans like the much-loved Northern lad will only help bring more eyes to the games.
With more than 400 career appearances and nearly 1,000 wickets at international level alone over the course of more than two and a half decades in the sport, they don’t get much more iconic than Jimmy Anderson – it’s a big coup for Manchester Originals.
As mentioned, while the Lancashire-born bowler’s time in international whites may have come to an end, as well as serving as a key Roses mentor, he’s still an LCC star. Representing Lancashire Lightning in the year’s T20 Blast, ‘The Burnley Express’ has already claimed 14 wickets in his first eight matches.
Discussing his impending debut, the ‘King of the Swing’ said: “I’m really looking forward to The Hundred, and I’m really happy to be part of the Manchester Originals squad. I’ve loved my time with Lancashire this season, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to add value in The Hundred.”
“It’s a competition I’ve really enjoyed watching. When you’re at the games, you can really see that it does attract a slightly different crowd, a lot of younger people and families, and you can’t underestimate how important that is for our game. I can’t wait to get out there.”
The first lot of Hundred fixtures get underway on Tuesday, 5 August, with the first home match at Old Trafford Cricket Ground welcoming the toss the following day (Wed, 6 Aug).
You see the rest of The Hundred 2025 wildcard draft picks in full HERE.
Danny Jones -
6th October 2023 
