Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Top Rumours

Super-agent Mino Raiola has confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic wanted a transfer to Italian giants Napoli before agreeing a deal to join Manchester United from Paris Saint-Germain.

Raiola spoke candidly to Radio CRC (h/t Jack de Menezes of The Independent) and said his client instructed him to broker a move to Naples after being impressed by the club in 2005. The Swedish superstar wanted to end his career with the Partenopei after visiting the San Paolo Stadium:

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Was Ibra approached by Napoli this summer? The presidents who talk to me, they know that what is said remains between us.

We chose United recently, it was our goal, Ibra was also the club’s aim, and we’re now where we needed to be.

All I can say is at Ciro Ferrara’s farewell game at the San Paolo, Zlatan called me and told me: "Mino, I want to end my career in Naples".

That’s because the mentality of the Neapolitans is the one closest to his, and if the league remained as it was back then, he might have done just that.

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The 34-year-old has kept up his output since arriving at Old Trafford, scoring four goals in as many games in the Premier League and netting the winner in the Community Shield, according to WhoScored.com.

Ibrahimovic had a golden spell in Italian football, representing Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan, and a move back to Serie A would have tempted the veteran.

However, England was missing on the player's travels around Europe, and he arrived to great fanfare at the Theatre of Dreams.

Jose Mourinho was able to persuade his former Inter player to join him at United, and the striker has led the line with distinction as he attempts to prove his doubters wrong.

Italy legend Gianluca Zambrotta recently lauded the big Swede for his contributions, according to Squawka.com:

In other news, Mourinho will resist any attempt from Chelsea to sign defender Matteo Darmian, as the coach refuses to do business with "direct rivals," according to David McDonnell of the Mirror.

Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia) have reported there is a "complete breakdown" in the relationship between the Italy international and the self-proclaimed Special One.

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Darmian has struggled to force his way onto the United team, and with Timothy Fosu-Mensah available again after being injured in pre-season, the competition with Antonio Valencia could see the player out of the first-team squad for numerous matchdays.

The Italian arrived at United with a burgeoning reputation after being captured by ex-manager Louis van Gaal, but he has failed to live up to his early promise. 

Darmian struggles with the pace in wide areas in the Premier League, but Mourinho's defensive style could suit him if he can muster a start or two and get the Portuguese to trust him.