OFFICIAL: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Released By Manchester United
Reuters / Carl Recine
Manchester United have confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been released from the club.
Ibrahimovic spent only one season at United, and scored an incredible 28 goals in 49 appearances for the Red Devils in all competitions last season.
The Swede had signed a one-year contract with the club last summer, with the option to extend it by a further year, and after his consistency in front of goal, he looked set to be offered another deal.
However, the striker suffered a gruesome knee injury in United’s Europa League quarter-final victory over Anderlecht, tearing his ACL in the minutes leading up to extra-time.
As a result, he missed the Old Trafford outfit’s last 10 games of the season – including the Europa League final against his former club Ajax in his hometown, Stockholm.
He underwent a surgery in America recently, and has been working hard at Carrington to get himself back up to full fitness again. However, he is not expected to be able to play again until January.
As a result, United – who were all set to offer the forward a new deal – have now decided against taking up the option of signing Ibrahimovic on for a further year.
The 35-year-old commanded a massive weekly salary during his time at the club, and signing him on for another year, despite him being injured for half of it, has been deemed too heavy an expense to bear.
The Europa League and League Cup winners announced their list of retained players for the Premier League next season, and Ibrahimovic’s name was notably excluded.
However, it is understood that the legendary forward will be allowed to complete his rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament surgery at United’s Carrington training base before he departs from the club.
Jose Mourinho’s side have now decided to look for replacements for the outgoing striker, and Real Madrid’s Alvaro Morata has been earmarked as a potential target.
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