Jose Mourinho reveals he wants to emulate Sir Alex Ferguson and build a dynasty at Manchester United, saying: 'The best manager in history needed time to build such a successful period'

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to remain at Old Trafford until 2018 — and manager Jose Mourinho wants to stay for far longer.

Mourinho said yesterday that United are ready to take up a one-year option on Ibrahimovic’s £260,000-a-week contract, keeping him at the club for another season.

The Portuguese added that he has designs on creating a dynasty and hopes to be given the opportunity to continue beyond his own three-year deal.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic (left) enjoying a joke with Wayne Rooney in training on Wednesday

The strike partners looked to be bonding well ahead of their Europa League date

Jose Mourinho at his press conference ahead of Manchester United's clash with Feyenoord

United will face an early Europa League exit should they lose against Feyenoord at Old Trafford tonight and that means Ibrahimovic is expected to start.

The 35-year-old former Sweden striker spoke about ‘conquering’ Major League Soccer in the USA earlier this week but Mourinho insists the player’s immediate future lies in England.

‘The Zlatan situation is simple,’ Mourinho said. ‘He has one plus one year at the club. We are going to execute the option of a second season. After that he can do what he wants because he is free.

Mourinho, chirpier since his wife, Matilde, travelled to Manchester late last week, is settled enough to contemplate carrying on past 2019, when his present contract ends. But he also pleaded for more time, citing Sir Alex Ferguson’s sticky start as United manager.

‘If you ask me would I like to stay for more time than these three years then, yes,’ he said. ‘I’m in the club that I want to be.

‘I’d love it but I have to deserve that. If one day the club thinks I deserve it I will be very happy about that. I am just at the beginning.  

Ibrahimovic embraces Rooney before getting down to some work with the ball (right)

Henrikh Mkhitaryan (left) also enjoyed some fun with Ibrahimovic at the training ground

The Swedish striker goes through a stretching routine alongside the rest of United's squad 

‘The best manager in the history of the Premier League needed a few years to build such a successful period. If the best needed that time, others also need that time.’

Ibrahimovic already believes the structure is in place for United to challenge for major trophies again. ‘The right people are in the right positions now to bring it to where it belongs,’ he said.

Speaking to BT Sport, he also defended United captain Wayne Rooney, under fire recently after being pictured looking the worse for wear while away with England.

Mourinho said he was 'happy' with Ibrahimovic's contribution since his summer move

The Portuguese was more animated at one stage as he addressed the media on Wednesday

‘I’m 100 per cent sure the media doesn’t really know the real story,’ he said. ‘There’s a lack of respect. It is exaggerated. I have the same thing when it comes to me.’

The Swede then revealed his desire to add a Europa League winner’s medal to his haul. ‘I have a lot of medals, and I want more,’ he said. ‘There’s a place for that trophy.’

Meanwhile, Feyenoord coach Giovanni van Bronckhorst urged Dutch supporters not to cause trouble tonight. Thousands of fans, including 200 known hooligans, have travelled without tickets and Van Bronckhorst said: ‘We want people only talking about the game. I hope on Friday that’s all we read in the papers.’

And Mourinho looked in good spirits as he joked with sports therapist Rod Thornley (centre)

Rooney also got a laugh out of the boss, while Daley Blind (right) received a pat on the back