Manchester United stars Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo in 'good positions' to return for Christmas fixtures, reveals manager Jose Mourinho
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make his Manchester United return next month
- Swedish striker is back doing ball work at the club's Aon Training Complex
- Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo are also stepping up their returns from injury
- Manager Jose Mourinho is giving players not on international duty a week off
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has hinted that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could make a comeback from his serious knee injury in the Christmas period.
The veteran striker is on the road to recovery after injuring his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments in his right knee during the Europa League quarter-final second-leg win over Anderlecht last season.
That injury in April curtailed a prolific debut campaign with United which had yielded 28 goals and nine assists in 46 appearances.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed fine debut season with United, scoring 28 goals in all competitions
Man United boss Jose Mourinho hinted that Ibrahimovic could make comeback next month
Ibrahimovic is back doing ball work at the club's Aon Training Complex and was filmed by team-mate Marouane Fellaini taking part in some shooting drills on Saturday.
And speaking about the fitness of Ibrahimovic as well as fellow absentees Paul Pogba, Marcos Rojo and Fellaini — who made his comeback during Sunday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea — Mourinho was optimistic about their returns nearing closer, with the international break providing a welcome .
'We have the group of players which are the ones that we hope will recover as soon as possible,' Mourinho told MUTV after the defeat at Stamford Bridge.
'They have to work every day but they are in a good position now. Pogba, Ibra, Rojo, Fellaini.
Marouane Fellaini posted an Instagram video of Ibrahimovic (centre) training
The Belgium midfielder's footage shows the Swedish striker taking part in shooting drills
'They are in good positions so I think we can go into this part of the season, the Christmas period, and after, in a strong position.'
With several of his stars away on international duty, Mourinho has given those who aren't representing their countries a week off to recharge the batteries.
'The international break means the majority of the players fly now from London to their countries,' he added.
'They all disappear and then we have a couple who aren't selected for their national team, like [Chris] Smalling and [Ander] Herrera and they really deserve, after so many matches, to have a week off which I'm going to give them.'
Ibrahimovic has not featured for United since suffering a knee injury back in April
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