Ibrahimovic determined not to let injury end career
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is certain his illustrious soccer career will not be ended by the serious knee injury that has cut short a fine first season at Manchester United.
United said the Swedish forward had sustained “significant knee-ligament damage” in the Europa League quarter-final victory over Anderlecht last week. The club has not put a time frame on his recovery.
After joining from Paris Saint-Germain, the 35-year-old striker has been a revelation for United in his first campaign in England, scoring 28 goals in all competitions. But his one-year deal at Old Trafford expires at the end of the season, raising concerns he could have played his last game for the 20-time English champions.
But Ibrahimovic took to Instagram to say he “will come back even stronger.”
He posted: “It’s no news I got injured so I will be out of football for a while. I will go through this like everything else and come back even stronger.
“So far, I played with one leg so it shouldn’t be any problem. One thing is for sure, I decide when it’s time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon.”
United players wore warm-up kits displaying the names of Ibrahimovic and defender Marcus Rojo before their Premier League game at Burnley on Sunday. Rojo is also facing a lengthy layoff after sustaining kneeligament damage in the same game as Ibrahimovic.
United midfielder Ander Herrera said he did not doubt Ibrahimovic’s determination to make a full recovery, saying the Swede was “privileged physically.”
“His physique, his body is one of the best I have ever seen, so I think it will be easier for him to get back than others,” Herrera said, adding: “I have no doubt he will be back because he loves football, he loves to win, he loves to score goals. He loves to train every day.”