ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC could return to Manchester United’s first team before Christmas – and so confident is manager Jose Mourinho that he has ditched plans to sign a second striker.
Ibrahimovic missed the end of last season after damaging knee ligaments, forcing him to have an operation in the United States.
And his time at Old Trafford looked to be up after United rejected the chance to trigger a 12-month contract extension, with Ibrahimovic expected to be out of action until January.
But the 35-year-old striker has returned to United’s Carrington training base to do his rehabilitation and is ahead of schedule. And it has emerged that Ibrahimovic has spoken to United about a short-term deal after targeting a December comeback, with club’s able to sign free agents outside of the transfer window.
Mourinho signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton in a £75m deal but allowed Wayne Rooney to travel in the opposite direction and was keen to bring in another forward to bolster his ranks.
But the United boss is confident of having Ibrahimovic available again for the second half of the season and will now focus his attention on signing a winger instead.
Ivan Perisic of Inter Milan remains his top target, although United have thus far been unwilling to match the Croatian’s £48million valuation.
But Inter manager Luciano Spalletti has admitted he could be ready to let Perisic go if the price is right, saying: “If someone comes in with a very difficult offer to reject, then we’ll consider that.”
One player United are confident will not be moving this summer is their goalkeeper David de Gea, despite Real Madrid’s continued interest.
The Spanish side are still keen to sign De Gea before the start of the new season and United are bracing themselves for a bid.
But United are determined to keep him at Old Trafford and have put an £80m price tag on the Spanish international.
And Old Trafford sources have told Express Sport they are sceptical about whether Real have the funds to sign De Gea given they have earmarked a world record £161m for Monaco sensation Kylian Mbappe.
Source:www.express.co.uk