Jose Mourinho open to new Zlatan Ibrahimovic deal

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has opened the possibility of offering a short-term deal to Zlatan Ibrahimovic once he recovers from a serious knee injury sustained in late April.


The big Swede was allowed to leave Old Trafford on a free transfer earlier this summer after it was known that the veteran would not be fit until the turn of the year.

Ibrahimovic has nevertheless been allowed to use the training facilities at Carrington, and he is evaluating his options for the future with a move to Major League Soccer also in the horizon. Speaking to reporters, via ESPN, Mourinho cited that the club would offer another chance to the experienced forward following his spectacular debut campaign in English football last term.

He said: “Possible, it’s open, of course we wanted to be honest and open and left everything for him to make the decision. At the same time let’s make a decision that makes us all happy and if that is for him to stay and for us to wait, let’s say in December maybe, because I don’t think before December he can get back to competitive football but why not wait for a player who gave us so much, we are changing ideas and it’s with Mr Woodward (Ed Woodward) and Zlatan’s agent but the final decision is the best for the player.”

Ibrahimovic had his critics prior to joining United on a free transfer last summer, but he managed to shake most of them after he came up with a 28-goal season with the Mancunian giants. Ibrahimovic netted a brace in the EFL Cup final win over Southampton while he also netted the winner in the Community Shield game at the start of the campaign. He also produced some of his best form in the Europa League with a hat-trick against Saint-Etienne being the highlight of his season.

The 35-year-old could struggle to replicate his showing following a double knee damage, but he will still be determined to prove his worth, should he get another run in the United first-team next season. The Europa League holders signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton for £75m earlier last week, and he is being seen as the ideal replacement for Ibrahimovic.