Ex-Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha has claimed Zlatan Ibrahimovic threatened to hurt him during LA Galaxy's victory over Real Salt Lake, and accused the striker of disrespect.

The pair clashed twice, before Ibrahimovic scored the 78th-minute winner and celebrated in Onuoha's face.

Onuoha, 32, says he rejected the Swede's apology in the dressing room.

"Over here it is just a show for him. A lot of people are scared of him - but he is just a mere mortal," he said.

"First, he was very arrogant. Secondly, I thought: 'What is this guy playing at?'

"This is not the way you are supposed to do it, especially someone who is meant to be the face of the game here and the game globally.

"I wasn't a fan of him before - and I'm definitely not a fan now."

What happened and what was said?
The first flashpoint came in the 60th minute, when 37-year-old Ibrahimovic was booked for dragging Onuoha to the ground by his neck in an off-the-ball incident.

Onuoha said the former Manchester United striker then made the threats to him following another challenge shortly afterwards.

"This time he hit me on top of head. I was again thinking: 'What is going on here?'" Onuoha told BBC Sport.

"He kept saying: 'You know what? I am going to hurt you. I am going to do you. You just watch, there is enough time, I am going to do you.'"

After Ibrahimovic scored, Onuoha claims the former Sweden international told him: "You don't mess with me in the game. You don't mess with me."

Once the game was over, Ibrahimovic came into Real's dressing room, later telling reporters: "I went to shake their hands, no big issues."

Describing the moment, Onuoha, who joined Real in 2018, said: "He started coming towards me and said, 'have you calmed down, big man?'

"The amount of disrespect he showed me on the field - I want to let things go, but I can't let them go, especially when it is so raw.

"The way he came in was almost arrogant in itself, trying to be all friendly. But this is the guy who fouled me on the field, tried to embarrass me when they scored, then he comes in to try and allegedly apologise.

"I do not think he is a good person, so I am not going to offer my hand and, in no uncertain terms, I told him to get out."

'This guy is disrespectful'

Asked about the confrontation, Ibrahimovic told reporters: "What happens on the field stays on the field.

"I like to feel alive. I like when it becomes duels and that, because sometimes - not that I fall asleep - but I don't feel alive if they don't actually activate me. When I get angry, I feel good."

Onuoha responded to those comments by saying: "If that is how he wants to motivate himself, then whatever. He was having a poor game before that. He must have thought I was straight out of college over here, the way he was talking to me."

Asked if he would accept a proper apology, Onuoha added: "No, I think it is fake. He still thinks he is better than me as a human being and I don't have time for people like that.

"Even when I played against [Juventus forward] Cristiano Ronaldo when he was younger, he'd be a bit temperamental, but that was his pure desire to win, not necessarily to disrespect the opponent, which is what I think this guy is doing.

"It seemed like it was me upsetting him more, which is crazy from a guy who will go down as one of the greatest of all time in Europe."

Asked about the teams' next meeting in Utah in September, Onuoha replied: "The last time we played them at home we beat them 6-2. If it is anything even close to that it will be a very good day with lots of celebrations to rub in his face."

BBC Sport has contacted LA Galaxy for a comment.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/48098700

Although I like Zlatan's style of play,truth be told he is so arrogant and proud!!!...he's also a bully and tries to make the game all about him

this zlatan onuoha story been trending for days...Na now nairaland dey see am. nairaland to slow for news

Anything can happen in the heat of the game. Zidane and Matterazi, Evra and Suarez comes to my mind. Onuoha must have been making life difficult for zlatan and we all know zlatan is a bully. That's the fun of the game at the end sha .

I really don't care about Nedum or Ibra...

Ibrahimovic is APC agent in MLS. I lied?

Zlatan.. he's old and yet he still instill fear into his opponent.
What's dead my never die but.

Likes for Lord Theon.
What do say to the god of death ?
Not today
Share for Mai Lady Arya Stark

Zlatan... Always full of himself

Ibra. The bully

Ibrahimovic is an arrogant mofo, but I still like him though!

It's ibrahimovich,he's always been like that, no surprise from this side.

Ibra too get igbiraga

The cock does not crow without Zlatan says so....
The sun doesn't shine on Zlatan, he shines on the sun...
Zlatan is never late.... He comes in on time and thats enough...
Arrogant prick... He probably has made a lot of money than he rhought he would.

No matter how arrogant CR7 may appear, honestly I think he still a very humble person and that’s one reason I think made him and Messi more better players

#humility

I dont see any big fuss from what Onuoha is saying. Common man, grow up! Football its a man's game not children playing ground. Everyone is doing whatever humanly possible to make sure his team emerge victorious.

I am not a fan of Zlatan because he is too arrogant for my liking. But on this issue, Onuoha didn't stood is ground like a man, he chickened out and was just crying foul.

Be a man!

Chronicgenius:
Although I like Zlatan's style of play,truth be told he is so arrogant and proud!!!...he's also a bully and tries to make the game all about him

If it was me in my angry mode, I'll plan a fake accident for him that will end his career,

This is totally uncalled for on the part of Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

My friend would you sharrap there! Getting outplayed by a 37 year old and you still get mouth to speak? Otu! Zlatan does not play football, he is football!

jew man and chest beaten

U should apologize to Zlatan for being such a coward � � �

U should apologize to Zlatan for being such a coward � � �

Zlatan Ibile , wetin you go do about this kind thing naw

walex25:
I dont see any big fuss from what Onuoha is saying. Common man, grow up! Football its a man's game not children playing ground. Everyone is doing whatever humanly possible to make sure his team emerge victorious.

I am not a fan of Zlatan because he is too arrogant for my liking. But on this issue, Onuoha didn't stood is ground like a man, he chickened out and was just crying foul.

Be a man!

You are the speaker,not of the house of rep but of my mind
Onuoha is just trying to sell himself n demarket zlantan on moral grounds,waht he knows not is that in football,aside physical intimidation, psychological intimidation is a priceless weapon,its used in almost all sports,from boxing to tennis to football,you must be mentally n physically fit to get paid such millions nw....find a psychologist guy.