Dastardly Dick: Ibrahimovic is frustrated so we set out to wind him up...and it worked

ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has been branded an explosion waiting to happen after walking into a Turkish trap.

And as the short-fused Swede heads to Swansea today with struggling Manchester United, Fenerbahce boss Dick Advocaat revealed he DELIBERATELY ordered his players to wind up Ibrahimovic in Turkey – because he knew he would snap.

Ibrahimovic was lucky to escape a red card or any retrospective UEFA punishment after grabbing Fenerbahce’s Danish defender Simon Kjaer during United’s damaging 2-1 Europa League defeat.

Irritate

a little bit when they get the ball and push them a little bit sharper.

“No, no, I wasn’t at all surprised Zlatan reacted that way. I know him and Rooney too and that’s what we needed to do. But they are still great players.”

Advocaat also revealed he watched United fail to break down Burnley in their last Premier League game at Old Trafford – and he knew their frustrations were running high.

“Against Burnley, they created so many chances but against us, not so many.

“It’s difficult to play against us when we play how we did.

“They had to try and play through the zone and block we made. They couldn’t do it and I think that frustrated them.”

The Bosphorus blow-up by Ibrahimovich has given under pressure Jose Mourinho another major headache as he tries to halt a United slide that has turned into a full-on crisis.

And Mourinho, searching for a solution to United’s pitiful form, was last night pondering whether to stick with the Swede – or take him out of the firing line and try another strike combination.

Ibrahimovich hit the ground running with a blistering start to his United career.

But the wheels have come off for the 34-year-old striker who all of a sudden looks a busted flush, unable to score – or keep his temper in check.

Advocaat’s stars, pumped up by a wonder hit from striker Moussa Sow just a minute into the Europa League clash in Istanbul, targeted Ibrahimovich and Rooney f or special treatment – knowing they were likely to react.

And with his Red Devils’ adventure going into meltdown, Ibrahimovic has shown he is feeling the heat – like Mourinho.

The Swansea clash at the Liberty Stadium has now become a must- win match for the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan boss with United on a shocking run of form, having won just one of their last seven league games.

Flipping