Zlatan Ibrahimovic did not do anything wrong when he confronted former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha in LA Galaxy's win over Real Salt Lake, says former MLS player Bobby Warshaw.
The pair clashed twice before Ibrahimovic scored the 78th-minute winner and celebrated in Onuoha's face.
Ibrahimovic went to the Real Salt Lake dressing room after the game to apologise, but a Onuoha rejected the gesture saying the Swede's behaviour was "unacceptable".
But former FC Dallas midfielder Warshaw says Ibrahimovic's behaviour was not anything unusual.
"We can agree that Zlatan didn't do anything wrong by talking trash on the field," said Warshaw.
"If most fans were to hear what was said on the field they probably wouldn't want their star player to say those things, it's just what happens.
"Did Zlatan go over the line? No, but he probably got a little bit close to it."
Ibrahimovic was not in an apologetic mood in front of the post-match media, and Warshaw believes this simply reflected his need to play on the edge.
"He even said after the game: 'I want to play angry, I'm at my best when I play angry' - and this is what we forget about players talking on the field," said Warshaw.
"Whether it's to the opposition or to team-mates, it [talking] is usually not for the person receiving the information, it's usually for the person saying it.
"Whether you are organising, whether you are talking trash, you are usually trying to get yourself motivated, and that's what we saw from Zlatan.
"He doesn't want to play in a dull state, he doesn't want to play when he's not at heightened intensity and focus.
"So what does he do? He talks a little trash, maybe to the opposition, maybe to the referee, to get himself fired up because that's the way he wants to play the game."