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Come Fan with UsTuesday, August 4, 2026

Zlatan Ibrahimovic says he’d like fighting with Louis van Gaal at Manchester United

If Thomas Müller and Cristiano Ronaldo don’t work out, here’s a good Plan C.

Elsa/Getty Images

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been linked to a move to AC Milan this summer, and at his age, Paris Saint-Germain probably aren’t going to demand too much of a transfer fee to get rid of him. He’s great, and Financial Fair Play has been relaxed, but they’ll need to clear some space to sign a Paul Pogba or Cristiano Ronaldo-caliber player.

So Zlatan got asked about his relationship with Louis van Gaal -- who he argued with at Ajax -- and the possibility of playing for him at Manchester United. He’s a professional button-pusher, so he had the perfect answer.

“At the end, I think he is professional and I am professional. Whoever I work with, I never had this kind of problems, because at the end I need to do my job, he needs to do his job,” Ibrahimovic said. “And I think a lot of fights would happen, but that’s something I like.”

Start writing your Zlatan to United story now.

In the news

Fabian Delph got hurt in a preseason game this morning. (BBC)

From that game, here’s Keylor Navas punching Yaya Toure in the face. (r/soccer)

Rotherham’s Kirk Broadfoot has been suspended 10 games for sectarian abuse. (Guardian)

Surprise, PRO stands behind Panama-Mexico ref Mark Geiger. (ESPN FC)

Wolfsburg have signed Peruvian international Carlos Ascues. (Bundesliga)

Andrea Pirlo was finally introduced as an NYCFC player, but is unlikely to start this weekend. (MLS)

La Liga’s opening week fixtures have been set. (AS)

You should be reading

Maggie Mertens on Alex Morgan’s new children’s show. (Vice)

MJ Corrigan on the long-lasting influence of Roger Milla. (These Football Times)

Matt Hawkins on U.S. Soccer’s relationship to the FIFA scandal. (Futebol Cidade)

Fun with transfer rumors

The section in which nothing should be taken seriously. It’s rumor season, so this section will be expanded, and as the summer rolls on, it will probably be bigger than the actual news section.

Cristiano Ronaldo to Manchester United is an actual possible thing. (The Busby Babe)

And in case that’s impossible, they’re still trying to sign Pedro. (Express)

Napoli are in talks to bring in Sime Vrsaljko. (Football Italia)

Real Madrid are going to ask Sergio Ramos to stay. Who knows how he responds. (Guardian)

Spurs want Saido Berahino to join U-21 mate Harry Kane. (Mirror)

Abou Diaby will join West Brom ... subject to a medical. So it’s 50/50. (Sky Sports)

What to watch this weekend (click for listings, all times ET)

MLS: RSL vs. Sporting KC (Friday, 11 p.m.) - Stay up late and watch some really good MLS.

Gold Cup: USA vs. Panama (Saturday, 4 p.m.) - Ugh, a third-place game.

ICC: Barcelona vs. Manchester United (Saturday, 4 p.m.) - A friendly, but a fun one.

Gold Cup: Mexico vs. Jamaica (Sunday, 7:30 p.m.) - Not just a final, but a must-win for Mexico to get into the Confederations Cup playoff.

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