Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic could've been a Sunderland star, it has been revealed.

Before his goalscoring performance last night, it was confirmed that Sunderland had the chance to sign Ibrahimovic when he was with Ajax.

The striker became available in 2002.

"I remember how Stefan Schwarz gave us the inside info about how Zlatan could be sympathetic to the move," ex-Sunderland director Mark Blackbourne told The Times. "We really wanted to get into this deal and felt that the player was open to a move."

But Sunderland's two offers of £3 million and £5 million were turned down.