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Zlatan DEFENDS the Glazers' ownership of Man United, insists they are investing

  /  autty

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has appeared to defend the Glazers in a move that is likely to enrage Manchester United fans.

The Swedish icon scored more than 500 goals during a glittering career which included included a two-year spell at United, where he netted 29 times in 53 appearances and was part of the team that won the EFL Cup and Europa League in 2016-17.

The Glazers have have been a source of contention at Old Trafford ever since they became majority owners in 2005, facing significant fan anger and backlash. After taking over the club through a leveraged buyout which placed £525million worth of loans onto the brand of United, they have racked up the club's debts to £536m.

Overall, the Glazers have taken more than £1bn out of United in the form of dividends, interests, costs and fees during their 18-year-reign, which has been dominated by a decline in on-pitch performance and success.

United supporters have regularly protested against them, but Ibrahmovic seemed to defend their work at the club and insisted they are trying to help the team as much as they can.

Speaking on Piers Morgan Uncensored, he said: 'I think now in Man Utd, I don't know, there are some kind of demonstrations about the owners to sell it and that, but just a reminder, the owners are investing.

'It is not like they are not investing because they brought in many players for a high amount of money.

'So I think it's a little bit wrong saying that they are not doing what the fans expect them to do, then I don't know what the real reason is behind everything.'

Erik ten Hag did receive significant backing in the transfer market this summer, bringing in Andre Onana, Rasmus Hojlund, Mason Mount and Altay Bayindir for a cumulative outlay of £183.2m, while they also paid an £8m loan fee for Sofyan Amrabat, with an option to make the deal permanent for a further £21m.

Meanwhile, the Glazers popularity has only decreased over the past 10 months, with the American family putting United up for sale back in November.

However, there has still been no sign of any progress despite front-runners Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Qatari royal Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani going head-to-head in the bidding war.

Both parties have submitted multiple offers in the process - which is being overseen by New York based bank Raine Group - and the uncertainty over the club's ownership has been accompanied by a disastrous start to the season.

United have lost four of their first seven Premier League games, while they were also defeated in their opening two Champions League group stage matches against Bayern Munich and Galatasaray.

They currently sit 10th in the top flight and host Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday.