Manchester United defender Chris Smalling urges star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic to stay for another season
- Zlatan Ibrahimovic has an option for a second season on his contract
- The 35-year-old Swedish striker is yet to confirm where his future lies
- Ibrahimovic has scored 23 goals in 35 appearances so far this season
Manchester United defender Chris Smalling is hoping team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic will still be at Old Trafford next season.
The Swedish striker is yet to confirm where his future lies, with his current contract holding the option for a second term.
And the 35-year-old has excelled expectations so far this term, scoring 23 goals in 35 appearances, leading United fans to call for the iconic forward to stay for another campaign.
Chris Smalling (centre) congratulates Zlatan Ibrahimovic after his first goal on Thursday
Ibrahimovic has excelled expectations, scoring 23 goals in 35 appearances so far this season
And England international Smalling insists the entire dressing room is willing Ibrahimovic to do just that.
'I would definitely like to see Zlatan stay here,' he told the Sunday People, 'because you can see how he has performed this year and the goals he has scored.
'If we can keep a player like that for as long as we can then all the players would be very happy with that.
'I'm not sure how long he can go on but I don't think age is a factor with him whatsoever. He has played as many games as anyone in the squad and contributed as well. It is down to how long he wants to go on.
'When you have a focal point like him he just wants to score goals. Even in the last couple of games when maybe we have not been playing as well as we have done, when you can score goals and rely on people like that it's brilliant.'
Ibrahimovic scores a penalty to secure his hat-trick against St-Etienne on Thursday
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