Man Utd boss Mourinho drops Ibrahimovic hint: We needed someone for the first six months

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Jose Mourinho has hinted Zlatan Ibrahimovic could yet return to the club.

Kamara: Lukaku will offer more than Ibrahimovic

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals for Manchester United in his first season in English football after arriving on a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain.

However, a serious knee injury sustained in a Europa League game against Anderlecht appeared to end his Old Trafford career.

Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined until Christmas - though Express Sport understands he could return to action before the winter festivities. 

Jose Mourinho has privately held talks with Ibrahimovic about a return and have consequently stopped the club's striker search.

United have splashed out £75million on Everton hitman Romelu Lukaku so far this summer but Mourinho appears content to place his faith in the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

And we spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we can not allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season

Jose Mourinho on Zlatan Ibrahimovic

And, talking about their deal for Lukaku, Mourinho hinted he needed somebody for up until Christmas - when Ibrahimovic will be fit again.

"We spent big money on a striker because, with strikers, you either spend or you don't get," Mourinho said.

"And we spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we can not allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season."

There was talk at the start of the summer that United would try to bring back Javier Hernandez. 

The Mexico international has since returned from these shores with West Ham but, speaking on Tuesday, Mourinho said he was never on his radar.

Manchester United News Zlatan IbrahimovicGETTY

Jose Mourinho has hinted Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return to Manchester United

Manchester United News Zlatan IbrahimovicGETTY

Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals for Manchester United last season

“No, because he left the club a few years ago," he said.

"I’m not sure if it was his decision or the manager’s but he’s a good player, he’s a player that will always score goals.

“I would always welcome him in my squad because he doesn’t need many minutes on the pitch to score.

"But we move in another direction in a younger player in Lukaku and we have Rashford who can be a striker, so we didn’t feel that need.

"But no doubt from West Ham to get a player of his experience and quality is very good.”

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?