Expert: “Ibrahimovic should have chosen an easier path to retirement than Manchester United’

Niall Quinn believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic should have chosen an easier path to retirement, rather than join Manchester United earlier this summer.

The football expert and columnist, via Sky Sports, admits the jury is still out on the 35-year-old, who has scored eight goals in 17 appearances for the Red Devils this season, including two strikes against Swansea City in Sunday’s 3-1 victory.

But despite his brace in Wales, Quinn says the Swedish star is starting to show his age at the Old Trafford outfit.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

“Maybe at 35 Zlatan should have looked for a gentler pasture in which he could transition into retirement,” he said.

“He has been playing professional football in top divisions since 1999. That’s a lot of mileage.

“He still works hard. However, fewer things come off for him.

“He scored 113 goals in 122 games in France. His patchy form at United compared to Mario Balotelli’s exciting form at Nice these days tells us a lot about the difference between playing in France and playing in England.”