Manchester United update: Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make his debut for Manchester United

Manchester United will head off to China on Tuesday for a pre-season tour. Superstar footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic has left French Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint Germain and joined titan English Premier League giants Manchester United on a free transfer during the summer window. Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona, nicknamed “The King’ during his tenure with Man United, sent a message to Ibra saying the Swede would not wear his crown but may become prince at United after joining the club.

Thirty-four-year-old Ibrahimovic laughed off Cantona’s welcome message responding that becoming prince of the Red Devils is not enough, he wants to be “God” of Old Trafford. “I admire Cantona and I heard what he said,” said Ibrahimovic . “But I won’t be King of Manchester. I will be God of Manchester.” Cantona, scored 82 goals in 185 appearances during a four-and-a-half-year spell at United Cantona offered Ibra the #7 shirt in a video for Eurosport.

“I have a personal message for Zlatan: You decided to go red. It is the best choice you ever made,” said Cantona. “When you walk into the Theatre of Dreams. When you can feel the ghosts of the legends that have been here before. When you score that first goal right in front of Stretford End. When you hear the crowd chanting your name. “When your heart beats so strong that it bursts out of your chest. When you feel that you will love them as much as they will love you. You will know, my friend, that you finally made it home,” continued Cantona. “Just one last thing, there can only be one King in Manchester. You can be the prince if you want to. And the #7 is yours if you are interested. That is my welcome gift to you. The King is gone! Long live the prince!”

The Sweden National Team were knocked out of the recent Euro 2016 on June 22nd. Fifa rules state that all football players must have a minimum three-week rest after a tournament. Ibrahimovic is available to take part in the eight-day tour of China, but reportedly Mourinho may leave him behind. Mourinho wants to give Ibrahimovic, who is currently on vacation in Los Angeles, extra rest before the start of the Premier League season. United leave for China on their pre-season tour on Tuesday but Ibrahimovic will probably not go with his new side. New Man United boss José Mourinho, is expected to hand the popular Swedish international striker his friendly debut against Galatasaray on July 30 or against Everton in Wayne Rooney’s Testimonial match at Old Trafford on 3 August.

All money raised from Wayne Rooney’s testimonial match against Everton at Old Trafford will go to charity. Some of the money will be used to fund a scholarship to support youngsters from more disadvantaged areas to go onto university or further training. The Manchester United Foundation, the teams charitable arm, are one of four charities set to benefit from the game, which will be the first at Old Trafford for new manager Jose Mourinho and superstar signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic. Money raised from the match will go to fund The Wayne Rooney Scholarship, a brand new program which aims to encourage, inspire, and help kids achieve their potential.

Rooney is very involved in the foundation. The United Foundation’s chief executive John Shiels said it was a “fitting and powerful legacy” for Rooney at United. “It's the first time we’ve done anything like this and we’re really excited about it,” said Shiels. “As a player Wayne has won pretty much everything and looks like he’s going to break every record in the book.

“But he’s always been a big supporter of us and his generosity here is just another example,” continued Shiels. “He is great with kids and given his background is able to relate to and communicate with them in a way maybe others aren’t. Wayne is from a more deprived area but found his way out through football. However a lot of his mates might not have. What we’re trying to do is broaden the horizons for these kids and Wayne knows one of the major ways to do that is through education.”

The scholarship will be open to all year 11 pupils at all of the United Foundation’s 15 plus partner schools. A total of 36 kids, 12 each year for three years, will be chosen as eventual winners and will receive a funding worth thousands of pounds and support during their university or other studies. Some day they come back and compete for United. “Not only will the chosen scholars receive this significant amount of money but hundreds of others will be driven and inspired by it, so it’s powerful and there is a real legacy to it” John added. “Everton and United, along with my family, gave me the support and opportunity to help me achieve my goals and dreams,” said Rooney. “Having a young family of my own makes me realize it’s vital that every child gets the opportunity to grow up surrounded by love and support to give them a chance of fulfilling their potential.”

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Manchester launch their 2016-17 England Premier League campaign away against Bournemouth on August 14th. Then on August 19th United host Southampton at Old Trafford. On August 27th Man Utd travel to play Hull City on August 27th. Titan club Manchester City travel across town for a Manchester Derby on September 10th. Do not miss a single game this season as United battle their way back to the top of the Premier League for the trophy and a spot in the 2017-18 Champions League. Football tickets for all Manchester United games are for sale now at LiveFootballTickets.com!