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Football

06th Nov 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of Manchester United’s clash with Arsenal

Supporters seem quite content with Rashford

Darragh Murphy

Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t feature for Manchester United again until November 24 and that’s only if no retrospective punishment is taken against him for his referee-grabbing midweek.

After ending his goal drought with a double that downed Swansea on Sunday, the big Swede picked up a booking for a foul on opposition midfielder Leroy Fer.

The yellow card was Ibrahimovic’s fifth domestic booking of the season and rules him out of United’s next Premier League game, a home tie against fierce rivals Arsenal on November 19.

The 35-year-old reacted with incredulity to his most recent entry into the referee’s notebook and revealed that he had anticipated more lenience from officials in what was supposed to be a physical league.

“I thought in England we play rough. No? That’s what I heard. Every time I’ve tried to play rough I get a yellow card,” Ibrahimovic said after the 3-1 victory in Wales.

“I don’t know why he gave me a yellow card. Maybe I was too tired to hear why, but I sacrifice for the team, and if I need to get a yellow I will take it, I have no problems.”

Losing Ibrahimovic, United’s top scorer this season, could be perceived as a significant blow for Jose Mourinho’s side but fans of the Red Devils seemed largely happy with the fact that Marcus Rashford, who played no part in this weekend’s match, would lead the line against the Gunners.

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