ZLATAN IN SHOCK KO
Crocked star may miss rest of 2017
ZLATAN Ibrahimovic could be out for the rest of the year if fears that he has ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee are confirmed.
The news would be a huge blow to Manchester United’s hopes of winning the Europa League and finishing in the top four of the Premier League after the Swedish star scored 28 goals in his first season in English football.
It would also cast some doubt over Ibrahimovic’s prospects of staying at Old Trafford for a second year and extending his playing career beyond his 36th birthday in October.
Earlier this week, Sportsmail revealed that Los Angeles FC are ready to offer £5million a season for the striker, and their offer still stands. They are happy for Ibrahimovic to do his rehab before the MLS season starts.
The veteran striker landed awkwardly and jarred his knee at the end of normal time in United’s Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht on Thursday.
It is feared that Ibrahimovic ruptured his cruciate and may have sustained other ligament and cartilage damage as well. The lay-off for such an injury is between six and nine months.
His season appears to be over along with his hopes of appearing in the final in his native Sweden next month if United win their semi-final against Celta Vigo.
Marcus Rashford is set to lead the line at Burnley tomorrow after two man-of-the-match performances against Chelsea and Anderlecht, and Wayne Rooney is back in contention.
Manager Jose Mourinho also has problems in defence after Marcos Rojo was carried off against Anderlecht, joining Chris Smalling and Phil Jones on the sidelines. ‘We are in trouble,’ said Mourinho. ‘In this moment, Eric Bailly played six matches in a row, and we lost Marcos Rojo. We don’t have Jones or Smalling. We are in trouble and now we lose Zlatan too. But in attack, we have options and Rooney is coming, and let’s see if Juan Mata can also return before the end of the season.’
Speaking of his plans for Burnley less than three days after playing extra-time in Europe, Mourinho added: ‘Ander Herrera is fresh to play, Ashley Young is fresh to play and who else? There is nobody else to play.’
Rooney now has an opportunity to play a more active role in the final stage of his Old Trafford career. He has drifted out the first-team frame since breaking United’s all-time goalscoring record in January, largely due to a succession of injuries and illness.
Rooney returned to the squad after a four-game absence on Thursday but was an unused sub after Mourinho chose to use Anthony Martial as Ibrahimovic’s replacement in extra time.
Mourinho said of Rooney: ‘He has a good mentality, he is a fighter. He is a strong man, even if he is not in the best condition.’