Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants Manchester United return as injured striker tells Jose Mourinho he is keen to re-sign

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has nailed his colours to the Manchester United mast by telling Jose Mourinho he wants to sign a new deal at Old Trafford. 

The 35-year-old Swede, who turns 36 in October, has been linked with a move to America but reports suggest he is keen on penning a short-term deal with Mourinho's side.

Ibrahimovic is expected to be out with a cruciate ligament injury until the new year but he could sign a six-month contract when he returns to full fitness. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reportedly told Jose Mourinho he wants to rejoin Manchester United

Ibrahimovic is expected to be out until the new year after sustaining a cruciate knee injury

Mourinho hinted the former Paris Saint-Germain forward could rejoin the club before United's 2-1 Super Cup defeat by Real Madrid. 

'Maybe he'll stay with us,' Mourinho said. 'He's not got a contract, but he's still close to Manchester, and the fact we are involved in the Super Cup now is also his merit.'

Ibrahimovic, who has won league titles in Holland, Italy, Spain and France, has been given permission to use United's state-of-the-art facilities during his rehabilitation programme. 

The experienced forward, who scored 17 Premier League goals for United last season, helped his side to victories in the Community Shield and League Cup final by scoring in both Wembley encounters. 

He sustained his long-term injury during United's Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht. 

Romelu Lukaku also hinted Ibrahimovic could stay at the club by revealing he asked the former Sweden international if he could wear his former No 9 shirt. 

He said back in July: 'Strikers play with No 9. It's a nice number, and I asked the permission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to thank him, as well, for allowing me to wear that number.'

Both Lukaku, who joined United in a £75million deal this summer, and Ibrahimovic are managed by agent Mino Raiola. 

Ibrahimovic, pictured on holiday, has been allowed to use Manchester United's facilities

Summer signing Romelu Lukaku asked Ibrahimovic if he could wear United's No 9 shirt