Zlatan Ibrahimovic could have played his last game for Manchester United as Jose Mourinho won't stand in striker's way amid LA Galaxy interest

  • Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been targeted by LA Galaxy
  • He has less than six months to run on United deal and is lacking match fitness
  • Jose Mourinho will not stand in striker's way if he wants to pursue Galaxy move
  • He released Bastian Schweinsteiger from contract to join Chicago Fire last year

Jose Mourinho will not stand in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's way if the veteran striker wants to pursue a move to LA Galaxy.

The Major League Soccer side are looking at signing the Manchester United forward, who is still sidelined through a lack of match fitness.

And Mourinho — who released Bastian Schweinsteiger from his contract to join Chicago Fire in March last season — would not rule out Ibrahimovic's potential departure in the coming weeks.

Jose Mourinho will not stand in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's way if he wants to pursue LA Galaxy move

Jose Mourinho will not stand in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's way if he wants to pursue LA Galaxy move

Mourinho would not rule out Ibrahimovic's potential departure in the coming weeks

Mourinho would not rule out Ibrahimovic's potential departure in the coming weeks

'Zlatan is in his last year of his contract,' Mourinho said. 'If that is true and Zlatan wants a future in another country then we are here to help and create conditions for that to happen, not to make his life difficult.'


The MLS transfer window opens next Wednesday, February 7, with suggestions in the US that Ibrahimovic would not take up a designated player slot.

Mourinho added: 'He's told me nothing about it. The first time I read something or listen was from you. I read it on the web and on a television channel. He's never mentioned it to me so I don't know.

'The last thing Zlatan told me was that he wants to recover totally and help the team. He's working hard to be fit. I'm not saying he's injured, he's in a moment of trying to feel really ready.'

 The Major League Soccer side are looking at signing the Manchester United forward

 The Major League Soccer side are looking at signing the Manchester United forward

Ibrahimovic shared a video of himself training on a bike in an oxygen tent recently
He is recovering from a knee injury

Ibrahimovic shared a video of himself training on a bike in an oxygen tent recently

Ibrahimovic has started just twice and only scored one goal since making his return from a knee ligament injury in November.

Mourinho is understood to have privately held misgivings at the striker rushing his comeback, which came as a substitute against Newcastle, and had not expected him fit until January.

The United manager also claimed Marouane Fellaini, out of contract in the summer, wants to remain at Old Trafford.

Ibrahimovic has started just twice and only scored one goal since making return from injury

Ibrahimovic has started just twice and only scored one goal since making return from injury

Fellaini has already rejected one offer of fresh terms yet Mourinho appeared more hopeful of reaching a positive conclusion.

'He is a very important player for me,' Mourinho added. 'He's a great professional, he's giving everything he can to help the team. There is a desire from myself, the board and the player to stay together. That is our objective.

'Are we going to agree? I don't know. What I know is that we all would like to have him here. I'm happy with his contribution. I know that he wants to stay with us and that's very important.

'He knows I want him, that's important. Then there is a paper to sign and you only sign that when you're happy with what's written.' 

Mourinho also claimed Marouane Fellaini, out of contract in the summer, wants to extend deal

Mourinho also claimed Marouane Fellaini, out of contract in the summer, wants to extend deal

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