ZLATAN PLAYS THE MARKET Ace shopper hits the onion bag

ZLATAN Ibrahimovic is setting his stall out to win over fans by buying his groceries from a local market.

The pony-tailed Manchester United goal ace wears his trademark woolly hat on visits to avoid being spotted while he shops for fruit and veg and joints of meat.

A club official suggested he check out the market in Bury, Lancs – which has been selling produce since 1444 – as part of his introduction to northern life after joining United in July.

And the 35-year-old Swede, who nets £200,000 a week at Old Trafford, has discovered an appetite for the goods on offer – especially black pudding.

Ibra had never sampled the northern delicacy before he arrived from his previous club Paris Saint-Germain.

But he has got hooked on the blood sausage breakfast treat commonly made with pork or beef suet and oatmeal.

The 6ft 5ins hitman has already made several visits to the openair market but always keeps a low profile.

Stallholder Tony Grant, 56, revealed: “I’m a massive United fan and have been serving him recently without realising who he was. The last time I saw him he still had the woolly hat on and he rarely looks at you. But then I realised who it was.

“I said that I was a big fan and had finally recognised him and he gave me a great smile and said how much he loved the market.

“I think in this day of ridiculous football wages, it’s really great to know there are still big-profile folk who are really down-to-earth and are happy to shop at places like this.”

Zlatan seems to be enjoying life in leafy Cheshire with his longtime partner Helena, 32, and their two sons Max, 10, and Vincent, nine.

He also has another off-field passion – a collection of toy cars like Dinky and Matchbox he has built up over the years.