Ibrahimovic can leave Manchester United, says Mourinho

Jose Mourinho has revealed Zlatan Ibrahimovic is allowed to leave Manchester United before the end of the season if he wants to.

Ibrahimovic has struggled to rediscover his best form since returning from a serious knee injury suffered in April last year and is now being linked with a move to MLS giants LA Galaxy.

The 36-year-old has been sidelined for the last four weeks after suffering a set-back in his return to full fitness but is due to return to full training with United next week.

When quizzed about Mourinho’s future in Monday’s news conference, the United manager revealed Ibrahimovic is in control of his own destiny.

“The first time I read something or listen something was from you, the media,” The Independent quote Mourinho as saying. “I read some web and listened to some TV channel. He never mentioned that to me, so I don’t know.

“Zlatan is in last year of contract, If – I’m saying, if, if, if because you told me, he said nothing to me – but if, if, if that is true and Zlatan wants a future in another club or country, we are here to help and to create conditions for that to happen, not to make life difficult.

“I repeat the last thing Zlatan told me is that he wants to recover totally and feel ready to help the team. That’s the last thing I heard.”

The arrival of Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal last week has almost dispensed with the need of Ibrahimovic and it would be a real shock if he is still at Old Trafford at the start of next season.

Ibrahimovic has managed seven appearances for United this season, managing one goal in 187 minutes of plating time.