Zlatan Ibrahimovic Keen on MLS, Cools Manchester United Transfer Rumours

Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has praised the United States' growing football culture and says he "would like to play" in Major League Soccer, but a move to Manchester United doesn't look likely.

Speaking to Yahoo Sports (via Football Italia), the Milan target hailed football as a growing phenomenon in North America, but also laid down a statement regarding his intent to remain at the top of his game:

"

I would like to play in U.S., absolutely. I would like to play. Which team? Am I allowed to say that? No, I cannot say that.

I think it would be an amazing experience. I see that soccer is growing a lot in U.S.

I mean, I was here 10 years ago [and] soccer was not on the level that it is today, but it's growing. 

It's growing in the right direction and I want it to be on the level of Europe. It will come here.

I think many want to come over here and play. Maybe not in the beginning of the career, like in the second part of the career [to] enjoy U.S. with the soccer at the same time and have the possibility to live here.

I don't want to be the player that comes because of my name. If I come, I want to bring results. Or else I will not come. To win trophies – that is what I play for. That is my job.

"

Ibrahimovic has just a year remaining on his PSG contract, opening speculation the Sweden international could move on from the Parc des Princes this summer.

MLS has a habit of tempting seasoned superstars to its borders, with Steven Gerrard and Andrea Pirlo among those new veterans to have completed recent moves to the United States.

But Ibrahimovic is still playing to a very elite standard at the age of 33, having scored 19 goals in 24 league appearances last season, leading Laurent Blanc's side to a third successive Ligue 1 crown.

Speaking after PSG's recent pre-season friendly win against Fiorentina, Ibrahimovic told Sky (via Football Italia) his future rests in the hands of his agent, Mino Raiola:

"

It was a good game. We won, but it’s always just a friendly match for preparation, and we’re happy. The game went well from a physical point of view. 

It’s important to do a good job now, to keep doing what we’re doing, working hard and preparing for the season ahead. Will I stay in Paris? My future is in the hands of [agent] Mino Raiola.

"

That statement in itself might serve as an indicator Ibrahimovic would be willing to move away from Paris, with PSG possibly open to cashing in on their star rather than losing him for free in 2016.

However, Ibrahimovic may not accept a move to Manchester United easily after opening up to host Maggie Gray on Sports Illustrated Now on his relationship with former Ajax technical director Louis van Gaal:

"

No, that's not good. He was a director in Ajax, and the way he is working is not the way I work. 

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. And I think a lot of fights would happen, but that's something I like.

"

Ibrahimovic noted that United manager Van Gaal tends to treat his players "like boys" instead of men, but refrained from giving a direct answer when asked if it would prevent him making the switch to Old Trafford.

Ibrahimovic has made his mark in some of Europe's top leagues and become regarded as one of the best strikers of his time following exploits in Spain, Italy, France and the Netherlands.

Jacques Brinon/Associated Press

However, the Premier League remains one battleground he has yet to conquer, with Sky Sports reporting Manchester United as a potential destination as recently as this week.

James Robson of the Manchester Evening News ponders whether Ibrahimovic's comments have any motivation behind them as his PSG status begins to draw increased interest:

Following Robin van Persie's move to Fenerbahce and Radamel Falcao's loan at Old Trafford coming to its end, the Red Devils may indeed be in the market to recruit another superstar forward.

Ibrahimovic's possible availability inevitably makes him a target for clubs, but United may find any hopes to sign him scuppered by Van Gaal's previous links to the player stretching back more than a decade.