Zlatan Ibrahimović is a man who likes to play by his own rules.
He’ll brush off niceties like ‘don’t try 40-yard bicycle kicks’ or ‘don’t manhandle the referee when he annoys you’ – to him, those are just words.
The Swede came off the bench early in Manchester United’s Europa League meeting with Fenerbahçe, replacing the injured Paul Pogba, and got stuck in very early.
We saw Ibrahimović go face-to-face with Fener’s Danish defender (and one-time United target) Simon Kjær, appearing to put a hand to the centre-back’s throat, but it was his interactions with referee Milorad Mažić which could land him in more serious trouble.
Late in the opening period, as Mažić looked to break up one of many comings-together between players, the striker appeared to drag the Serb’s arm away from him as if to say “Zlatan doesn’t like to be touched”.
https://twitter.com/UtdRantcast/status/794248295040352262
The United man’s actions seemed to divide opinion, with some pleased to see someone care that much about a Europa League game – after all, it has seemed at times as though English clubs aren’t hugely fussed about the competition.
https://twitter.com/RedCrestOnChest/status/794248328871608321
You don't just touch Zlatan, not even if you're the referee.
— Aqeel Simpson (@AqeelSimpson10) November 3, 2016
Zlatan put his hands on the referee!! Let's hope he's back 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽
— Wasim (@WazzaRashid) November 3, 2016
On the other side, however, you have people expressing their surprise that the former Sweden international was not reprimanded for his actions, suggesting at least one of the offences might have been worthy of a red card.
Zlatan lucky not to be sent off there
— Mo (@Boston_Mo) November 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/ash_kelly26/status/794248180732936192
Well, it’s a game of opinions.
Ref should get a red for touching Zlatan. https://t.co/z1nuagqwPK
— Kiril (@BawangPurple) November 3, 2016
https://twitter.com/BirchallColin/status/794249853752770563
