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.
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“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.”
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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.
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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.
Manchester Storm’s record-breaking return to AO Arena goes down a storm with fans
Daisy Jackson
Manchester Storm have made their grand return to the AO Arena, after more than two decades away from their former home.
And it appears the ice hockey craze (which may have been spurred on by a certain Heated Rivalry) is here to stay, with record-breaking numbers piling into the venue for Sunday’s match against Sheffield Steelers.
The AO Arena has now shared that a record crowd of 11,000 fans attended the long-awaited Manchester Storm homecoming last week.
The action has gone down a storm with fans, with plenty of chatter on social media (and videos of a certain fight) doing the rounds.
Manchester Storm’s homecoming has now smashed the record for an Elite Hockey pre-season fixture, with fans travelling from across Manchester and beyond.
As the team enters this new era, bidding farewell to the ‘Storm Shelter’ in Altrincham that’s been their home for a decade, demand for tickets is continuing to grow.
This is the first time fans have been able to see the club on the ice at the AO Arena since 2004, and last weekend they thrilled supporters with a 5-5 draw agains the Steelers.
Manchester Storm is now set to bring approximately 35 games to the city centre each year, providing a regular programme of major sporting events for Manchester and its visitors.
It also brings elite-level hockey back to one of Europe’s largest indoor sporting arenas.
Gemma Vaughan, General Manager at the AO Arena says, “Tonight is a hugely significant moment for Manchester.
“To welcome Manchester Storm back to their former home after more than 20 years, and to do so in front of a record Elite Hockey League crowd, is incredibly special.
“The response from supporters has demonstrated the strength of Manchester’s passion for ice hockey and the demand for world-class sport in the city. We’re proud to be able to provide a home for the Storm as they begin this exciting new chapter.”
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it
Emily Sergeant
Erling Haaland has answered the all-important question.
The question heard around the world, the question on everyone’s lips, a question that has absolutely nothing to do with football whatsoever… that’s right, he’s answered Letterboxd’s famous question of ‘what are your four favourite films?’.
If you’re unaware of what Letterboxd is, it describes itself as being an ‘online diary platform and app for film lovers’ and it gives users the chance to display their four favourite films at the top of their profile for all to see (and judge).
An extension of this has then been Letterboxd asking celebrities in press junket interviews and on red carpets what their ‘four faves’ are – and it’s gone on to become something of a phenomenon in the film world.
Everyone from massive A-list movie stars, to indie darlings and up-and-coming names have answered this question before, and now (it appears) to be Erling Haaland’s turn.
He’s not the first footballer to be tasked with question though, as the entire Spurs team was ambushed with it by former player – and famously massive cinephile – Alfie Whiteman last year, but it’s fair to say that after the summer he’s had with Norway at the World Cup, achieving international fame in the process, that Haaland is one of the most high-profile to answer it in a long while.
So, what’s on Erling’s list then?
Well, to self-confessed ‘film bros’ out there, you’re not going to find any deep cuts in this selection unfortunately, and you’re probably not going to get any recommendations for movies you haven’t seen before either, but come on, he is only a footballer after all.
Erling Haaland has named his four favourite films… and fans have a lot to say on it / Credit: Letterboxd
First up for the Manchester City striker is a pretty common pick by straight white men, it’s The Wolf of Wall Street, and he doesn’t give much of a reason for it, other than just suggesting: “I think you understand why”.
He then follows that up with Ridley Scott’s classic Gladiator, calling it ‘amazing’, before naming 2004’s epic Troy, and then rounding it out with a Christmas favourite for many, Home Alone, adding that he ‘watched it a lot as a kid, and then again now’.
As for fan reaction to Haaland’s four favourites, let’s just say it’s been mixed.
Among the 1,000+ comments on the Instagram video, you’ll find just as many people called him ‘king’ and saying he has ‘goated’ taste, as you will comments like this: “He has the most male gazed top four in history of Letterboxd.”
Danny Jones -
6th October 2023 
