The Dependent -- a Pakistani satire newspaper-- published a parody interview of PM Imran, wherein he told people to be thankful 'to have him as their leader'.
“An estimated 660 million Manchester United fans have Harry Maguire as their captain and leader. Can you imagine Maguire or Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saying, ‘sab se pehlay aap ne ghabraana nahi hai’?” The Dependent wrote.
“Be grateful that you have a World Cup-winning, all-time great, all-rounder leading you. 220 million Pakistanis with Imran Khan as their captain should think of the 660 million Manchester United fans who have Harry Maguire as their captain,” the satirical publication added.
The paper was taking a dig at Man Utd captain Maguire for the embarrassing 6-1 defeat to Tottenham in the Premier League on Sunday. The club managed to win only one match out of three opening matches of the English Premier League.
However, the British newspaper took the satire for an actual interview and attributed these 'baffling' remarks to the Pakistani premier.
The Daily Mirror headline read: 'Pakistani Prime Minister takes baffling swipe at Man Utd captain Harry Maguire'. The news report, which has now been deleted was also posted on Twitter.
The British tabloid still thought the report to be true in spite of the word 'SATIRE' written in bold red right next to the headline of the article. "The above piece is a work of satire and does not present itself as the truth," it says.
In response to the Daily Mirror, The Dependent took a swipe at the British tabloid, PM Imran Khan and Man Utd captain at once and wrote: "Editors at @DailyMirror likely to have as much trouble defending this as @HarryMaguire93 had against Tottenham Spurs, or Imran Khan has at Financial Action Task Force (FATF)."