Man Utd boss Jose Mourinho has suggested that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return in the second half of next season when discussing transfer targets.
The former Swedish international left the club this summer after his contract expired. It wasn’t to do with his form on the pitch though as he scored 28 goals and provided 10 assists in 46 appearances in all competitions in a glittering first season in Manchester.
Instead, after sustaining a serious knee injury in a Europa League clash in April, he was ruled out of action perhaps until 2018, and while he has been continuing his recovery and comeback with the help of the Red Devils, he is no longer under contract with them.
That might be changing in the near future though, as Mourinho has hinted that the 35-year-old will be welcomed back into the fold in January on a short-term contract.
“We spent big money on a striker because, with strikers, you either spend or you don’t get,” Mourinho told the media, as reported by ESPN.
“And we spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we can not allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season.”
As a free agent, the former AC Milan, Barcelona and Ajax star will be able to discuss terms with Mourinho and United in the coming months, and perhaps if he’s deemed fit enough in the January transfer market, they’ll snap him up and take him back to Old Trafford.
Romelu Lukaku will be expected to step in and lead the United line to start the campaign after his big-money move from Everton, but having Ibrahimovic back involved at the turn of the year could be a major boost for Mourinho as he’ll undoubtedly be targeting major honours this coming season.