The Swede has been working his way back to fitness after a career-threatening injury (Picture: Getty)

Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is edging closer to a transfer to LA Galaxy following the January arrival of Alexis Sanchez, according to reports in the United States.

The Swedish legend returned to action at the end of November after overcoming a major cruciate ligament injury, though has missed United’s last six matches after aggravating his knee.

In the meantime, United have bolstered their attack by signing Arsenal forward Alexis Sanchez in a straight swap for Henrikh Mkhitaryan, which is likely to reduce Ibrahimovic’s game time further.

Ibrahimovic is expected to return to training this week after his latest knee problem (Getty)

And now ESPN are reporting that the 36-year-old is deep in talks with LA Galaxy to end his United stay prematurely and move to Major League Soccer instead.

Both prior to moving to Old Trafford and before he suffered his knee injury in April, Ibrahimovic had held talks over an MLS move, though a deal is now said to be ‘the furthest along it has ever been’.

Should he agree to move to Los Angeles, Ibrahimovic would be signed with the help of targeted allocation money so would not take up a designated player spot.

Ibrahimovic signed a one-year contract with United back in August, saying he would ‘finish what he started’, but he has made just seven appearances in all competitions this season for a combined 187 minutes of action.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BedWTy8gseY/?hl=en&taken-by=iamzlatanibrahimovic

Galaxy are confident they can prise Ibrahimovic away from United, though he will likely need to take a significant pay cut on his current deal with the Red Devils.

Ibrahimovic enjoyed a hugely impressive debut campaign at Old Trafford, scoring 28 times in all competitions, but the cruciate injury sustained in the Europa League in April threatened to end his career.