Jose Mourinho hints at Zlatan Ibrahimovic return as Manchester United step up Matic chase

The United manager – who is hoping for a breakthrough in the pursuit of midfielder Nemanja Matic – also said he expects his team to be populated with academy graduates over the next few years.

United released Ibrahimovic at the end of last month after a cruciate knee ligament injury that Mourinho expects to keep the Swede out until December.

But there is a growing expectation that Ibrahimovic, who has held talks with LA Galaxy and new franchise LA FC in the MLS, could sign a short-term deal with United and be back playing at Christmas or in the new year.

Mourinho admitted this month it was an option and he dropped another big hint this week when he said the club committed £75 million (€84m) to sign Romelu Lukaku from Everton in part because they could not afford to be without a target man for the first half of the season.

It also appears that Lukaku asked Ibrahimovic for permission to wear his old No 9 shirt in anticipation of the 35-year-old returning.

“We spent big money on a striker because, with strikers, you either spend (big) or you don’t get,” Mourinho said. “And we spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we cannot allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season.”

Chelsea are increasingly resigned to losing Matic to United after the Serbia midfielder, who was left out of the club’s tour squad, signalled his desire to play under Mourinho again rather than move to Juventus.

United hope the determination of Matic to move will help to keep the price down with the club reluctant to pay £50m (€56m).

Mourinho is also confident the likes of Andreas Pereira, Scott McTominay and Demetri Mitchell will establish themselves.

“I think Scott and Demetri have a future in the club and Andreas Pereira is back,” said Mourinho. “When the kids are good and have potential, there is no problem.” (© Daily Telegraph, London)