Zlatan Ibrahimovic named in Manchester United’s Champions League squad as he closes on return from injury
Crocked Swedish striker picked up a serious knee injury in April but his targeting a return before Christmas
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ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has been named in Manchester United's Champions League squad... dropping the biggest hint yet that he closing in on a return from injury.
The Swedish striker has been sidelined since April with a serious knee injury he picked up in the Europa League win over Anderlecht.
The 35-year-old was initially expected to be ruled out of action until the New Year but the speed of his recovery has amazed United's medical staff.
SunSport exclusively revealed how the veteran's rehabilitation is way ahead of schedule and he is now targeting a return to action for the clash against Tottenham on October 28.
And he could play a part in the club's Champions League Group Stage fixtures handing Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho a massive boost.
Manchester United play their first match against Basel on September 12 but Ibrahimovic may need to wait until October 31 when the Red Devils play Benfica to make his first Champions League appearance for the club.
It would prove a dramatic turnaround for Ibrahimovic who feared his career could be over after damaging knee ligaments.
He signed a one-year contract extension with United last month and targets one final swansong in the Premier League.
Manchester United news
Manchester United Champions League squad
GK - David De Gea
GK- Sergio Romero
DEF - Eric Bailly
DEF - Phil Jones
DEF - Marcos Rojo
DEF - Chris Smalling
DEF - Daley Blind
DEF - Luke Shaw
DEF - Antonio Valencia
DEF - Matteo Darmian
MID - Paul Pogba
MID - Juan Mata
MID - Jesse Lingard
MID - Michael Carrick
MID - Ashley Young
MID - Ander Herrera
MID - Henrikh Mkhitaryan
MID - Marouane Fellaini
MID - Nemanja Matic
FOR - Romelu Lukaku
FOR - Zlatan Ibrahimovic
FOR - Anthony Martial
FOR - James Wilson
Young striker James Wilson is also a shock inclusion in Mourinho's Champions League squad despite not making an appearance for United in two years.
He has since had loan spells at Brighton and Derby whilst struggling with a string of injuries.
Young star Marcus Rashford hasn't been registered... but United fans needn't worry because he is under 21 and can still play via Uefa's B list rule.
Mourinho has been trying to dampen expectations on Ibra's speedy return by saying: "But I’m not thinking with Zlatan to play any part in the group phase. Hopefully, he can play in the knockout phase but, for that, we need to finish [in the] top two.
"I have no idea at all and I think the right way is not even to think about it and just let him do his work, step by step and come back when he’s really ready."
