Zlatan Ibrahimovic is 'in last part of his career' at elite level, says Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho

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Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho says the days of Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing at his highest level are nearing the end.

Ibrahimovic made a return from a cruciate knee ligament injury earlier this season, sustained in April against Anderlecht, but hasn't played since Boxing Day after coming off at half-time against Burnley.

Mourinho explained that Ibrahimovic had sustained a setback with his knee and the United boss has now cast doubt over his long-term capabilities.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has concerns of Zlatan Ibrahimovic's future

Ibrahimovic made a return from a cruciate knee ligament injury earlier this season

'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,' Mourinho told reporters.

'Zlatan knows that. He knows that at the highest level he's in the last part of his career, but his dream, his desire, his fight was always to end at Manchester United his career at the highest level.

'And, using the words he repeats all the time, being ­useful for me, for the team, and that I think he can. He just needs to feel ­really happy with his knee, with his condition and that I think he can.  

'As a leader in the dressing room, as a leader on the pitch, as a quality player on the pitch, I think he can do that, he deserves that and I'm here to try to help him do that.'

United hope Ibrahimovic, who scored 28 goals in 46 games last season, can return to first-team training by the end of January.

United hope that ibrahimovic can return to first-team training around the end of January

Mourinho's United are in action against Stoke in the Premier League on Monday

Mourinho's side play managerless Stoke at Old Trafford on Monday night in the Premier League.

United are second in the Premier League with 47 points from 22 matches.