Manchester United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims Sir Alex Ferguson is hindering club's progress

The Swede believes high expectations to emulate the great years under the Scot is preventing United from moving forward

Zlatan Ibrahimovic insists Sir Alex Ferguson is hindering the progress of Manchester United due to his previous success.

United have failed to win a Premier League title since the Scot’s retirement in 2013.

Jose Mourinho was the third permanent manager to depart having failed to meet expectations at Old Trafford, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lifting morale in recent months as interim manager.

But Ibrahimovic, who featured for United over 18 months, including 28 goals in his debut season, insists comparisons to the achievements under Sir Alex have prevented the club from moving on.

“Everything that happens is judged by the era of Ferguson,” Ibrahimovic told the Mirror. ”They are saying if Ferguson was here, this would not happen, Ferguson would not do it like that. Ferguson would do it like this. Everything was Ferguson.

“If it was me, I would say I don’t have Ferguson anymore. And I come here and I want to make my own history, I want to make my own story.

“So I do not want to hear what happened before. I want to do it in the present. You come in with a new mentality.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed success at United before a serious injury (Getty)

“Ferguson has his place in history at this club but now the club continues. It has to find its own identity and it is difficult.”

Ibrahimovic is now starring for the LA Galaxy in MLS, with his second season just starting, having failed to guide his team to the play-offs last term.