Mourinho looking at January deal for crocked super Swede
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC could still have a future at Manchester United.
The Reds last night completed the £75million capture of Romelu Lukaku from Everton after he came though a medical in Los Angeles – and the Belgium striker will be asked to replace Ibra as United’s talismanic centreforward.
But Zlatan could still become a new year addition to Jose Mourinho’s squad if he makes a full recovery from the cruciate ligament injury that ended his season in April.
The 35-year-old is currently at Carrington after accepting the club’s offer to complete his rehabilitation under their care. And senior Old Trafford sources believe that Ibrahimovic could complete a sensational comeback if Mourinho reckons he needs more firepower in January.
United wanted the Swede – who scored 28 goals after joining from Paris Saint-Germain last summer– to sign a oneyear extension before he was injured, and there was also interest from the USA and China. But it is understood that Ibrahimovic has been so impressed by the level of care lavished on him throughout the summer that he will give United the first option when he returns. United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward began working on a deal for Lukaku within days of Ibra being injured in the Europa League clash against Anderlecht on April 20. It seemed that the Belgian was destined to return to Chelsea when he told Everton that he wanted to leave Goodison Park at the end of the 2016/17 season. But Lukaku was so impressed by Woodward’s persistence, and United’s willingness to meet the Merseysiders’ valuation, that he had a change of heart. The influence of Paul Pogba also played a part, with the Frenchman a close friend of the striker. And United’s willingness to cut a deal over Wayne Rooney’s return to Everton had a significant effect on the deal too.