Zlatan Ibrahimovic to revive career at Manchester United
Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will have the opportunity to revive his career at Manchester United while recovering from a serious knee injury, confirmed coach José Mourinho on Friday in Los Angeles.
Doubts over Ibrahimovic's future
However, the future of the 35-year-old star was put in doubt after he suffered a cruciate ligament injury in April, forcing him to end a successful first season.
Impressive recovery
The injury led to United not renewing his contract, which ended last month.
The Swede has impressed the Old Trafford team with the pace of his recovery, and he has been allowed to use the club facilities to aid in his rehabilitation.
Mourinho, who spoke before Manchester United's friendly match against Los Angeles Galaxy on Saturday, said Ibrahimovic could return to the club next season.
Ibrahimovic was the top scorer for Manchester last season, with 28 goals across all competitions. (Getty Images).
Possible return to Manchester United
"It's possible, it's open," said Mourinho to the press after Manchester's training at a university in Los Angeles.
Despite being linked to a possible move to Major League Soccer in the United States, Mourinho said the striker had indicated that he wanted to continue playing at the "highest level".
"From his point of view, he made the decision to want to play football at the highest level," said Mourinho. "He didn't want to hide behind an incredible injury, it would be easy to hide behind it and stop and go to a different level of football."
"He didn't want that, he wasn't happy with how his season ended and not playing. He has made it a challenge to himself to continue playing at the highest level. So we have opened the door for him to recover with us, at Old Trafford, at Carrington," added Mourinho.
The recovery from Ibrahimovic's injury usually takes 9 to 12 months.
"We will make a decision that makes us happy and if that is for him to stay, and for that we have to wait until, let's say, December, because I don't think before December he can get back to competitive football, why not wait for a player who has given us so much?" wondered Mourinho.
"We are exchanging ideas with Ed Woodward (Manchester's executive vice-chairman) and Zlatan's agent, but the final decision will be the best for the player," concluded the Portuguese coach. AFP.