Zlatan Ibrahimovic laughed in the face of his doubters and claimed he thrives off their negativity.

The Manchester United's age and desire were questioned when he made the switch to Old Trafford during the summer.

But his 18 goals for Jose Mourinho and a near ever-presence have silenced the naysayers.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic speaking to Thierry Henry ahead of Manchester United against Liverpool

Ibrahimovic says he joined Manchester United to shut his critics up

Former Arsenal and France striker Henry stands between Paul Pogba and Ibrahimovic

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: 'I have no problem [with the criticism] because I went through this my whole career, this is something that triggers me, gives me energy.

'People talking about me, saying: 'You're dead', ex-players talking, and I don't even remember them when they were playing.

'But one thing for sure is they will remember me for the rest of their lives. I had my little adventure going around different countries, and when they felt it was most difficult for me, I chose to come to England.'

Ibrahimovic believes United are still in the Premier League title race ahead of Sunday's visit of rivals Liverpool, despite finding themselves 10 points behind leaders Chelsea.

Ibrahimovic says he wants to win trophies with Manchester United

Ibrahimovic says he is from the hard-working generation of players

'I'm not chasing anybody, I'm chasing the head trophy, the Premier League. That is my aim,' he added.

'I could make money in China, but I choose to accept this challenge and chose United also, in a situation where they struggled for the last four or five years, and I can finish the task to bring them to the top.

'After many years of talks like 'he can never make it in the Premier League, he can never make it there', I had my little adventure going around different countries, and when they felt it was most difficult for me, I chose to come.

Ibrahimovic and Henry's interview was interrupted by Paul Pogba

'Let's say a person in my position would take the easiest way, go abroad, make money in China, or the other side and settle down with the career he had, I choose not, I took the challenge, accepted the challenge, and that's what I chose.

'That's why I chose United also, in a situation where they struggled for the last four or five years, and if I can finish the task to bring them to the top, I will be more than happy.

'I don't like the easy task, the easy job, the easy objectives, I always had it hard wherever I went. I needed to do much more than the other ones, and that's how I see it here, at the age of 35, people said it would be impossible but I am doing what I am able to do.'

It is the second time that Ibrahimovic has worked with Jose Mourinho and the pair have a special bond after they won the Serie A title at Inter Milan.

And Ibrahimovic left the San Siro to move to Barcelona where he won La Liga under Pep Guardiola.

Ibrahimovic is enjoying playing for Jose Mourinho again after the pair worked together at Inter

Ibrahimovic also played for Pep Guardiola at Barcelona and won the title in Spain

Ibrahimovic has scored 13 goals in the Premier League this season

But having played under both managers, he was keeping quiet over which one he preferred to work under.

He added: 'Two great coaches, two different persons. And I had the opportunity to work with both and won with both, but one stimulated more than the other one.'

And Ibrahimovic believes he is from the old school of players who had to work hard to achieve their goals – something he says he is still doing to this day.

He added: 'I am working hard, I like the hard work, I am very happy that I am from the old generation, the hard-working generation.

'I believe the new generation, let's say it's a bit easier for them, because they get explored in the media in a different way, much bigger, much faster than when I popped up in the football world.

'I met team-mates, played with different teams, and they worked hard to get what they got and achieve.

Ibrahimovic told Pogba he was back on free-kick duty after the Frenchman missed against Hull

Pogba chatted with fellow Frenchman Henry and Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic and Pogba have formed a good relationship at Manchester United

Pogba hit the post with a free kick against Hull on Tuesday and Ibrahimovic says he'll be back on duty this weekend

'I don't want to say it's totally different, but I don't see the same hard-working thing today when I see the new generation, because like you say, when I come I like to work hard, and when I work hard I am satisfied.

'I know I am doing something good, but for myself, not for somebody else to say: 'Oh Ibra you are working hard'.'

The interview with Sky Sports pundit Thierry Henry was gate-crashed by the world's most expensive player, Paul Pogba, and the Swede had a warning for young Frenchman.

Ibrahimovic sat out Tuesday's EFL Cup semi-final with Hull and watched as the France international hit the post with a free-kick. The striker was quick to tell his team-mate that he will be back on free-kick duty this weekend.

He said: 'Did it go in? No, so I am taking the next one. I said to him 'you score a goal and I will leave it to you, but you will get one possibility.' I was watching and said 'hopefully it goes in' but it went out. It will come. I was not on the field and when the lion is not there the cats come.'