Jose Mourinho has revealed Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still struggling from the effects of his long-term knee injury.

The Swedish striker made his return from a ligament problem last month but sat out the weekend win over Arsenal.

He was tipped to return against CSKA in midweek but Mourinho has confirmed he will sit out the final Champions League group game.

Ibrahimovic is likely to be back in the fold for this weekend's Manchester derby.

“Zlatan is not injured. He needs sometimes very hard work on the muscle area that supports the knee that had the problem," the United boss said.

Ibrahimovic warms up (
Image:
REUTERS)
Ibrahimovic returned last month (
Image:
Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)

“When the period for that hard work comes, fatigue comes. To work really hard for a certain period of time he cannot play for theses days, so we decide to do that."

“He's on this cycle of work divided between the gym and the pitch. He will be out again for tomorrow but back to normal after CSKA."

Mourinho confirmed Nemanja Matic would also miss the clash with CSKA, although Paul Pogba is likely to feature following his dismissal at Arsenal.

Jose Mourinho during the press conference (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

"We have problems, we have injuries. Matic is injured and when I say he is injured, he is injured," Mourinho added.

"I am not going to make him play tomorrow so Matic is out. A couple of others guys are playing every match and they also need a rest.

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