Former Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic criticised the ‘Class of 92’ for ‘always complaining’ about the club.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is largely known in the footballing world for two things – a prolific striker, and an outspoken personality.
Throughout his career, he made headlines on and off the field. He joined Manchester United in 2016 and played a key role in the club’s EFL Cup and Europa League triumphs.
However, Manchester United have had a struggling time in the Premier League and the Champions League, which has drawn significant criticism from former players – especially the ‘Class of 92’.
Paul Scholes and Gary Neville have been significantly critical about the side and the players over the past few years. Ibrahimovic, in a widely-ranging interview with the Mirror, talked about their ‘complaining’ nature.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic on ‘Class of 92’:
In the interview, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was critical of Manchester United’s legendary group of players, stating that they should join the club if they want to bring change.
“They are not there any more,” Ibrahimovic said.
“They are on TV and complaining all the time because they are not active in the club.
“If you want to work in the club, go and search for work in the club. So you cannot be on TV and always complaining and criticising. Yeah, ok, you’ve had your time, we know it.”
The former Swedish international went on to talk in defence of Paul Pogba, with whom he built an impressive partnership during his short stay at Manchester United.
The ‘Class of 92’ had been critical of the French midfielder under Jose Mourinho.
“With Pogba, he was with United when he was young, then he went out and he came back,” the LA Galaxy striker said.
“And in the circle of Ferguson, they don’t like that. Because they stayed all their life under Ferguson and they never moved from Ferguson.”
Displaying his usual outspokenness, Zlatan alleged that the ‘Class of 92’ won’t speak if “Ferguson didn’t tell them.”
“And they didn’t even talk if Ferguson didn’t tell them to open their mouth.
“So now if they are talking, I don’t know whether Ferguson gave them permission or not.
“I think Pogba has the potential to be the best player in the world in his position.”
In the same interview, he also stated that Manchester United must move beyond Sir Alex Ferguson and re-create its identity.
How Twitter reacted..
ZLATAN: FERGIE HOLDING UTD BACK
Zlatan Ibrahimovic gives a frank assessment of the state of play at Manchester United – and says Sir Alex Ferguson’s success is holding the club back.
More here: https://t.co/NUhJ2bDEvk pic.twitter.com/OoQadHSFcQ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) March 19, 2019
“Always complaining and criticising…”
Zlatan Ibrahimovic had a dig at Manchester United’s legendary Class of ’92 that featured the likes of Gary Neville, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and David Beckham.#Ibrahimovic #ManUnited #Classof92 #OptusSport pic.twitter.com/Yn3asajWnL
— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) March 19, 2019
‘Pogba went out and came back. In the circle of Ferguson, they don’t like that’
Zlatan Ibrahimovic says Man United star scrutinised by Class of 92 because ‘they didn’t talk if Ferguson didn’t tell them to open their mouth’https://t.co/gkrEL4fpQV
— MailOnline Sport (@MailSport) March 19, 2019
What next?
Manchester United return to action on March 30 as they take on Watford in the Premier League.