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ZLAT'S BACK

Zlatan Ibrahimovic could RETURN to Manchester United, admits Jose Mourinho who is ‘open’ to resigning Swedish star

Portuguese boss says: 'It's open, of course'

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JOSE MOURINHO says he is interested in resigning Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Big Swede, who top scored for Manchester United last season, is currently recovering from a serious knee injury using the club’s facilities at the Carrington training complex.

 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he's 'open' to resigning Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he comes back from injury
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Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has admitted he's 'open' to resigning Zlatan Ibrahimovic after he comes back from injuryCredit: Getty Images
 Mourinho says he will wait for Zlatan to get back to full fitness
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Mourinho says he will wait for Zlatan to get back to full fitnessCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The 35-year-old is no longer a United player with his contract finishing after just one year.

SunSport revealed earlier this week that Mourinho was interested in bringing him back.

Speaking at their pre-season camp in Los Angeles, Mourinho says that when the player is fully fit again in December he will have talks with him about signing for the club again.

Mourinho said: “It's open, of course.

“Why not wait for a player who gave us so much, we are exchanging ideas and it's with Mr Woodward and Zlatan's agent but the final decision is what’s best for the player.

“We wanted to be open and honest and left everything for him to make decision in case his desire was to leave, so there was not a new contract.

 Ibrahimovic's contract wasn't renewed after a season-ending knee injury in April
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Ibrahimovic's contract wasn't renewed after a season-ending knee injury in AprilCredit: AP:Associated Press
 New boy Romelu Lukaku in training with Paul Pogba
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New boy Romelu Lukaku in training with Paul PogbaCredit: Reuters
 David De Gea has been linked with Real Madrid but is staying with United
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David De Gea has been linked with Real Madrid but is staying with UnitedCredit: Reuters
 Marcus Rashford takes part in drills at the UCLA campus
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Marcus Rashford takes part in drills at the UCLA campusCredit: Reuters
 Henrikh Mkhitaryan is put through his paces
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Henrikh Mkhitaryan is put through his pacesCredit: Reuters
 Juan Mata with the ball as Mourinho watches on in the background
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Juan Mata with the ball as Mourinho watches on in the backgroundCredit: Reuters

“From his point of view, he made the decision of wanting to play football still at the highest level, he didn't want to hide behind such an amazing injury, it would be easy to hide behind it and stop and go to a different level of football, but he did not want that.

“He finished the season with his first European trophy but not playing but he made the challenge for himself to want to keep playing at the highest level.

“We opened our door for him to recover with us at Carrington and Old Trafford and at the same time let's make a decision that makes us all happy.

 Antonio Valencia signs autographs for Man United fans
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Antonio Valencia signs autographs for Man United fansCredit: Getty Images
 Jose Mourinho spoke to the press after training
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Jose Mourinho spoke to the press after trainingCredit: Getty Images
 Manchester United fans queue up outside for their heroes
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Manchester United fans queue up outside for their heroesCredit: Getty Images
 The United players listen to instruction from Mourinho
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The United players listen to instruction from MourinhoCredit: Getty Images

"And if that is for him to stay and for us to wait let's say in December maybe, because I don't think before December he can get back to competitive football.”

It would be a hugely popular move with the fans after his performances last season as he scored 28 goals including two in the EFL Cup Final win over Southampton with his late headed winner claiming the Cup.


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