MLS: 5 Manchester United men that have shaped American soccer

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Nani and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrate after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 16 2009, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Nani and Wayne Rooney of Manchester United celebrate after the Barclays Premier League match between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford on May 16 2009, in Manchester, England. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)
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Zlatan Ibrahimovic (Photo by Shaun Clark/Getty Images

4. Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is another man who has become just as famous for his antics off the pitch as he has for his astonishing career on the pitch. Zlatan has traveled all over Europe and is one of just two men in history to directly transfer Manchester United for the MLS, leaving Old Trafford in 2018 for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

This ex-United man brought many things to the MLS, which we had not yet seen: attitude; flamboyant goals; and arrogance. When he joined, LA became his playground and the world would tune in to see what crazy things he would do next. His debut goals in the El Tráfico were witnessed globally, and, ever since, more fans have likened to the MLS even more.

Quite frankly, it doesn’t get much more famous than the Swede, and as a result of his MLS venture, the league has seen it’s audience increase worldwide yet again.

Ibrahimovic would later state that Man United was his best ever team, and his 29 goals for the Club helped United win the Europa League and the EFL Cup, with this form continuing into the MLS, winning the Galaxy’s Player of the Year, Goal of the Year and Golden Boot within months.

This Swedish Superstar has further helped American soccer grow worldwide, and when a man who still possesses world-class abilities like him joins the MLS from a club like Manchester United, it shows just how big this league is becoming.