Zlatan Ibrahimovic Discusses Liverpool vs. Manchester United Premier League Draw

Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has lamented his profligacy in front of goal against Liverpool on Monday after spurning a great opportunity to score. 

In the second period of the 0-0 draw at Anfield, Paul Pogba found the former Sweden international with a wonderful cross to the back post, but the unmarked striker was unable to steer his header on target.

Following the game, Ibrahimovic said the chance may have been more difficult than it looked, but he was still disappointed. “It was difficult,” the 35-year-old said, per United’s official website. “I needed to chase the ball instead of attacking the ball, but still I should have put it at least on the target. But the next game, I will do better.”

As we can see here courtesy of WhoScored.com, by his own impeccable standards, Ibrahimovic is having a tough time at the moment:

The Guardian's Sid Lowe agreed with the striker and doesn’t think the chance was quite so simple as many have made out:

The clear sight at goal for the veteran was one of few chances in the clash, with neither side able to find their best form in the final third.

Liverpool, who have been so inventive under Jurgen Klopp going forward this term, looked to be a little overawed by the occasion in the first period and were thwarted by David De Gea as they improved late on. United drew the sting out of the match effectively and were comfortable for long spells.

Had Ibrahimovic netted in the 54th minute the game may have been very different in the latter stages. However, the striker wasn’t too disheartened to take a point from the home of their great rivals and called for patience in what remain the early stages of the season.

“The season is long,” the Swede said. “I see many teams are losing points at the same time. Any week, different things can happen so it is important to win the games you need to win and stay on the top. I mean, if you win two games in the row you're on the top. That's the way it has been so far.”

PAUL ELLIS/Getty Images

Focusing on Ibrahimovic, he’s enjoyed a decent start to life at Old Trafford, showing his technical quality, physicality and eye for goal. Aside from the opportunity he spurned, his performance at Anfield was possibly the worst he’s turned in as a United player so far.

Football journalist Liam Canning felt as though this display may have been the worst performance of Ibrahimovic’s career:

It’s going to be fascinating to see how manager Jose Mourinho uses the mercurial forward in the months to come. So far he’s played every minute of every Premier League game for United and although Ibrahimovic has threatened and worked hard, at 35 it’ll be tough for him to maintain the same levels of sharpness playing so much football.

Perhaps that’s why there’s been a small drop off in his performance levels in recent outings. Of course, Ibrahimovic still possesses the class to decide games for the Red Devils and will play a massive role this term. Nonetheless, recent displays may prompt Mourinho into reevaluating how he uses the striker.