Zlatan Ibrahimovic must prove he is Manchester United’s best striker to start, says Jose Mourinho

Returning Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic must prove himself to the best striker at the club to start when he returns from injury, says Jose Mourinho.

The Sweden legend re-signed for United earlier in the week on a one-year deal but will remain sidelined for several months after suffering ligament damage earlier in the year.

Ibrahimovic starred for United last season and was integral to their success in the EFL Cup and the Europa League.

But Mourinho insists he has no guarantees of starting for the Red Devils, particularly following Romelu Lukaku’s bright start to life at Old Trafford.

‘Zlatan knows me and he knows that I play the players that I think are best for the team,’ said Mourinho.

‘I have always done that. So if he comes here and he proves he is the best, he plays.

‘If the other ones don’t give him a chance to prove that… that is life.

‘But I try always to be honest with my players and with my team. Maybe sometimes I don’t always do the correct things but I try.’

Mourinho insisted the arrival of Ibrahimovic will strengthen his squad and put United in a better position ahead of another gruelling campaign.

The former Chelsea boss added: ‘My squad is better for sure. It is one more option. It is one more striker. It is one more experienced player.

‘It is one more player that can play nine or ten, that can play double strikers. We have lots of matches to play.

‘If we progress in the Champions League and if we progress in one of the cups, we would be in a position where we couldn’t do it with only Lukaku and Rashford, especially if I play both together.

‘If I play with both, I would need another striker so probably in January I would be knocking on Ed Woodward’s door asking for a striker for the second part of the season.

‘Now I don’t need to knock on the door. I have one of the best in the world.’

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