Bastian Schweinsteiger claims former team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be 'more than welcome' if he decided to move to Major League Soccer.

The 35-year-old is a free agent after Jose Mourinho decided against offering him an extension to his one-year contract after he picked up a serious knee injury in April, report the Manchester Evening News.

The Swede, who finished as United's top scorer with 28 goals last season, has been making remarkable progress at the club's training ground at Carrington and could yet play again in 2017.

And, amid talk of Ibrahimovic potentially returning to Old Trafford, Schweinsteiger believes his former team-mate should look a little further afield.

Schweinsteiger playing for Chicago Fire (
Image:
Getty Images North America)

"I spoke about Thomas Muller could also come and play here," he said when asked about Ibrahimovic coming to MLS.

"The goal should be in maybe 10 years for the MLS to be on the same level as the Bundesliga or the English Premier League that would be great.

"I hope everyone tries to help to increase the level of MLS and also that players like (Christian Pulisic) are here and not in Europe. So that should be the goal in America and I just try to help as much as I can.

"It’s also great that you have the kind of players like Michael Bradley in America who is helping a lot to increase the level of the league. But Zlatan is more than welcome."

Ibrahimovic topped an ESPN survey of 140 MLS players, who were asked who they would most like to see play in the league.

A whopping 22 per cent plumped for the Swede, who received more votes than Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar.