Zlatan Ibrahimovic Mocking Reportedly Feared by Manchester United Kids at Panto

Manchester United's youngsters are reportedly considering drawing lots to decide who has to mock Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the club's traditional Christmas pantomime as they all fear the wrath of the Swedish legend. 

Per the Sun's Phil Thomas, the Red Devils' rookies annually stage a panto in which they "mercilessly mock the senior stars" with "nothing off limits"—the likes of skipper Wayne Rooney and Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo have been aped in the past. 

However, per Thomas, considerations are being made this year that whichever youngster has to play Ibrahimovic can do it in disguise so as to protect their anonymity, as none of them want to be seen mocking the forward.

The striker, 35, signed for United in the summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has already made a telling impact at the club, netting four Premier League goals in his first seven appearances, per WhoScored.com.

Reports emerged early in his Old Trafford career that he is not only having a positive effect on the pitch, but off it as well, after manager Jose Mourinho revealed the inspirational impact he has had on the younger players in the squad, per Sam Cunningham in the Daily Mail.

In all likelihood then, it is a combination of fear and respect that is putting United's youngsters off the prospect of representing Ibrahimovic in their show. 

It will certainly be an unenviable task to risk getting on the wrong side of the enigmatic and physically imposing star, and the precautions reportedly being taken seem sensible.