Ibrahimovic believes he is making his doubters 'eat their balls'

As Zlatan Ibrahimovic ages like a red wine, his critics are being told to put their balls where their mouths are.

On New Year's Day, while opening up about his phenomenal start to life at Manchester United, Ibrahimovic fired a shot at those who thought he wouldn't survive in the Premier League. Of course, as supporters have come to expect, the 35-year-old did so using Zlatan-esque vocabulary.

"I had a fantastic year, I am not complaining," Ibrahimovic said, according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson. "I came to United, my first six months here has been more than amazing. I am super happy and let's hope we can continue the ride and keep going. I feel good. I don't know how many years I have left but I am enjoying the football. I came to the Premier League and everyone thought it would not be possible but like always I make them eat their balls."

Asked to explain what he meant, Ibrahimovic replied: "It gives me a lot of energy, trust me. A lot of energy because they get paid to talk shit and I get paid to play with my feet, that's how I enjoy it."

Two weeks ago, Ibrahimovic insisted he gets better with age, once again using Zlatan-esque vocabulary. "The older I get, the better I get, like red wine. You like red wine? I am a perfect example of that. I'm settling in and I feel happy, I feel good. Even if I'm 35, in my mind I'm 20. I think I could play at 50."

Related - Ibrahimovic thinks he could play until 50: 'The older I get, the better I get'

Ibrahimovic finished 2016 with 50 goals in all competition, a feat only bettered by Lionel Messi, who scored 51 in the calendar year. Of Zlatan's half-century, 17 goals came at United, with 12 of those coming in the Premier League.