Manchester United will not rush Zlatan Ibrahimovic back from injury as he fights for fitness with extra gym sessions
The Swedish legend has struggled for form after an eight-month lay-off following knee surgery
MANCHESTER UNITED will not rush Zlatan Ibrahimovic back from injury and will let him decide when he is fit to return.
The Swedish legend has struggled for form after an eight-month lay-off following knee surgery.
The 36-year-old is now fighting for fitness at United’s Carrington training complex, including extra gym sessions.
And the Red Devils conditioning coaches will now let the ex-PSG ace decide when he is able to return to first-team action.
An Old Trafford source said: “The club are letting Ibra dictate the speed of his present recovery.
“He has been unhappy with his form and fitness since returning from the knee surgery last year.
“He decided to take himself out of the first-team picture and is working on his comeback.
“Ibra is not in any serious pain and he has been a regular in the gym with the conditioning team.
“They are happy to take the lead from him safe in the knowledge he knows his own body.”
He was given a fresh one-year deal earlier this campaign following his release at the end of last year.
The former Barcelona and AC Milan striker is wanted by a number of MLS teams when his deal is up at United.
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And boss Jose Mourinho admitted this week that Ibrahimovic’s time at the top level is all-but over.
He said: “I wish I was his manager when he was 29 at Inter Milan. We can't stop time, and for players time means a lot.
“Zlatan knows that. He knows that at the highest level he's in the last part of his career.”