On July 1, Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s time as a Manchester United player will come to an end… temporarily, at least.
The 35-year-old only signed a one-year deal with United having arrived from Paris Saint-Germain last summer but was widely expected to extend his stay with the club after scoring 28 goals. However, the knee ligament damage he sustained in the Europa League match with Anderlecht in April complicated matters. With the Swede facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines, it no longer made sense for United to shell out wages on a player that could potentially miss more than half of next season.
With all this considered, it came as no real surprise when it was announced last week that Ibrahimovic would be released by the club at the start of next month. While this remains the case, a report by the Manchester Evening News indicates that this doesn’t necessarily mean his playing days with United are finished.
Ibrahimovic is expected to continue his rehabilitation with United, even though the club will cease to pay his wages from July 1. Assuming he makes a full recovery, it’s suggested that United could then offer him a short-term deal to remain at Old Trafford – possibly until the end of next season.
Although it’s still not been confirmed when Ibrahimovic is likely to return to competitive football, some estimates have suggested that he is unlikely to play again until January.
With Ibrahimovic out of the picture (temporarily, at least), United have been looking at other options and are rumoured to be close to the signing of Real Madrid’s Alvaro Marota as well as bidding for Torino striker, Andrea Belotti.
