My brothers play for Man Utd and are pals with Sir Alex Ferguson and Cristiano Ronaldo Jr – I’m making my own way in MMA
THE IBRAGIMOV brothers look destined to light up the Old Trafford pitch in the years to come – but oldest brother Ibragim wants to fight there.
Ibragimov is a 7-0 MMA star signed to the Professional Fighters League – but his brothers all play for Manchester United.
Amir, 16, Gazik, 15, and Muhammad, 12, are products of United’s youth team are touted for big futures.
Even Old Trafford icon Sir Alex Ferguson has given his endorsement to Amir, who has also scored for England at Under-16 level.
Big brother Ibragimov, 20, is backing Amir to break into the first team by next season – while he eyes a sensational fight at the Theatre of Dreams.
He said: “My brother’s been training with the first team as well. I reckon this year, maybe next year he’ll be in the first team.
“My two little brothers as well play for Man United so they’ll make it too. I believe in them. So we’re going to have a Manchester United team.
“And then maybe in the future we’ll bring PFL over to Old Trafford and make it a big show.”
Amir scored the winning goal for England’s U16 against Italy in April – with Sir Alex’s starlet set for big things.
Ibragimov said: “He’s doing well right now. He’s on a good stage now. He’s about to make it first team.
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“He had a picture with Ferguson, it was at the start and then he scored the winning goal for the England team.
“So it’s a big opportunity for all of us.”
Neither Amir or Gazik are at threat of being starstruck by United’s superstar squad.
Gazik captained United’s U14s to trophies, played for England’s U15s and lined up alongside Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo’s sons.
And both Gazik and big brother Ibragimov remain in touch with Cristiano Jr – playing for Al-Nassr’s youth in Saudi Arabia.
Ibragimov said: “When Ronaldo came, my little brother played with Ronaldo’s son. My little brother Gazik played with Ronaldo’s son for the same team.
“They are still good friends. So the only thing we did was send a t-shirt over to his house so he signed it and brought it back.”
Ibragimov was also once a promising player, having had trials for Manchester rivals City before taking up a career in MMA.
He said: “I was actually playing football as well, I was at Sheffield, they gave me trials then when we moved to Manchester I was at City trials as well.
“I couldn’t make it. It was a bit too late for me to make it and my brothers are there. But I’m here.”
Ibragimov returns in Riyadh on Saturday against Nacho Campos with Francis Ngannou making his MMA return in the main-event against Renan Ferreira.