JOSE MOURINHO HAS confirmed Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to action before the end of the year.
Ibrahimovic tore his anterior cruciate ligament in April to place his career and United future in doubt.
But the 36-year-old forward has recovered swiftly from the serious injury and is closing in on a first-team comeback.
Mourinho suggested last month the former Sweden international could be back this year and the Portuguese boss is now certain of that timescale.
“He is a lion, he is a fighter,” Mourinho told Sky Sports, amid reports that Ibrahimovic and fellow long-term absentee Paul Pogba could be in contention to return as early as Saturday’s match at home to Newcastle United.
I think that is a good description of him, he has the anger all the time and that’s the reason why he’s almost coming back.
“As we expect, he’s reduced the timing of his recovering and, as we were saying a few weeks ago, he will be back in 2017, which is a magnificent recovery.”
The42 has just published its first book, Behind The Lines, a collection of some of the year’s best sports stories. Pick up your copy in Eason’s, or order it here today (€10):
He’s a freak of nature in fairness to him. Most players at that age would walk(or hobble) away with the career he’s had! He has some serious mental strength to get back. Very impressive.
Now the World Cup Playoffs are over let the Man United saturation re-commence!
Looks like united need him lukaku poor player
@Back pass: Idiot. Foolio.
A vital cog in the mourinho set up ? United style of play has changed since mou came , a lot of aerial ball with Fellini and Ibra on the end of these missiles around opponents area s , I imagine .
According to a headline in the Sun he’s available for selection this weekend. What a bunch of found out crackpots they are