Jose Mourinho urges Zlatan Ibrahimovic to be patient over Manchester United return despite speedy recovery from injury
Super-Swede is touted to come back in January but social media posts indicate he could be on the pitch as early as October
JOSE MOURINHO has urged Zlatan Ibrahimovic not to rush back from injury — because United need him at 100 per cent.
The super-Swede is expected to return for the Red Devils in January after suffering knee ligament damage in April but could return as early as the end of October.
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But boss Mourinho wants the 35-year-old to take his time coming back to make sure he is back to his best upon his return.
Mourinho said: "I think we need him. We wait for him, but with patience.
"He has to be patient.
"He doesn't have to be emotional and he doesn't have to try to make crazy things to improve in his mind quicker.
"Because I know that his desire is to improve quicker. So calm. Step by step.
"We want him. But we want him in the best conditions."
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Ibrahimovic's season was cut short but the former Barcelona hitman still managed to net 28 goals and get ten assists.
And the man himself gave a gave an update acknowledging that he must be patient with his return.
He said: "The knee is almost there. I want everybody to have patience. And when I come back, the world will know."
Super agent Mino Raiola confirmed it would be the New Year before Zlatan graces a pitch in a United shirt again.
Raiola said: "It's fine, everything goes on to the best.
"It's about a possible return to the field in January, but we know that can not anticipate it. We just have to wait for it, for sure it is very good."
