Zlatan Ibrahimovic has revealed that he turned down chances to sign for Arsenal and Manchester City in the past, but could not resist the opportunity to work with 'mastermind' Jose Mourinho at Manchester United.
Ibrahimovic has made a strong start to life at Old Trafford signing joining on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain this summer, scoring the winning goal in the Community Shield against Leicester before hitting three goals in three Premier League games to earn maximum points for the Red Devils.
The former Sweden captain opted against moves to England in the past in favour of Spain, Italy and France in the past, and said in 2012 that he rejected a trial offer from Arsenal back in 2000 because "Zlatan doesn't do auditions."
But while Arsene Wenger and Man City were unable to persuade the striker to test himself in the Premier League, Ibrahimovic says he could not say no to Mourinho after winning the Serie A title with the Portuguese coach at Inter Milan in 2009.
"I was close to moving to the Premier League twice – once with Arsenal and then Manchester City," he told reporters.
"But it never happened and I don’t need to play in the Premier League.
"Mourinho is the mastermind, the masterbrain. He knows what he needs to do to win. I learned a lot from him at Inter.
"Who wouldn’t want to have Mourinho as manager?"
In Pictures: Zlatan Ibrahimovic's trophy haul
Mourinho's fine start as United boss has earned him a Premier League Manager of the Month nomination for August, with Chelsea's Antonio Conte, Man City's Pep Guardiola and Hull's caretaker boss Mike Phelan also up for the award.
