“He likes to give good quotes”: Victor Lindelof sets the record straight over Zlatan Ibrahimovic chat

Victor Lindelof has recalled the conversation he had with former Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic as he prepares to try and stop his compatriot in the Europa League tonight.

After missing out on an Old Trafford reunion in the first leg, the 39-year-old Swede is expected to lead AC Milan’s line after being passed fit by head coach Stefano Pioli.

Not only does that see Ibrahimovic go head-to-head with one of his former clubs, but he is also set for a direct battle with one of his ‘new’ international team-mates.

After initially retiring from Sweden duty in 2016, the charismatic striker announced his grand return earlier this week.

Video Loading

Video Unavailable

Click to play Tap to play

The video will auto-play soon8Cancel

Play now

For now, his primary goal is to help the rejuvenated Italian giants edge past Ole Gunnar Solksjaer’s men – with the tie locked at 1-1 following last week’s first leg in the round of 16.

When defender Lindelof, 27, arrived at Old Trafford in 2017, he enjoyed a year alongside Ibrahimovic before his high-profile move to the MLS with LA Galaxy.

During that time, the former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain man was, according to reports, quoted as telling Lindelof: “You’re here to survive, not be friendly. So you need to perform.”

Read More Related Articles Read More Related Articles

Lindelof has since addressed those claims with his own side of the story, but how much of an impact will that have tonight?

He previously said: “He did talk to me, but didn’t say exactly that. But he likes to give good quotes, doesn’t he? Yeah I am Swedish and a nice person. There is nothing wrong with that. I like to treat people with respect. That’s how I was raised.

“On the pitch, yeah, maybe I could have been a bit more myself at the start. But in the beginning, the way I am off the pitch I like to be more quiet and see what kind of people I am with and then make judgement.

“But Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) and I get on well, because we can both have opinions. It’s good.”

Ibrahimovic, who is set for his first game against United since leaving Old Trafford, scored 17 goals in just 28 Premier League starts for the club between 2016 and 2018.

His record in Milan is perhaps even more impressive, too, with 24 coming from his first 32 appearances as they currently sit second in the Serie A table behind city rivals Inter.