Mourinho confirms Manchester United are talking to striker

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United are in talks with Zlatan Ibrahimovic about a sensational return to the club in January.

United opted against renewing Ibrahimovic’s deal at the end of last season after the 35-year-old suffered a career-threatening injury at the end of last season.

The former Sweden international is currently on course to make a full recovery at the end of the year and Mourinho has confirmed United are interested in re-signing Ibrahimovic in January.

“You know he’s injured, he needs time to recover, he’s not ready to play tomorrow,” ESPN quote Mourinho as saying ahead of their Premier League opener.

“It’s not something urgent, that we are desperate to have it done or not done, I just think that he was very clear by showing what he did last year was not enough for him, he thinks he can do more and wants more at the highest level so we are having conversations and we are discussing the possibility of him to stay with us for the second part of the season.”

Ibrahimovic joined United on a free transfer 12 months ago and was a revelation for Mourinho’s side before his season was curtailed by injury in April.

United signed Romelu Lukaku as his replacement earlier in the summer and the £75m signing even took his No.9 jersey for the season after asking for his permission.

In the last two Premier League campaigns Ibrahimovic has scored more goal than any other United player despite only being at the club for 12 months (17).