Manchester United is considering options to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who the English Premier League club expects to exit Old Trafford later this year.
Ibrahimovic is out of contract at the end of United’s current campaign and could potentially leave before its conclusion should he take up an offer in Major League Soccer or the Chinese Super League.
According to Yahoo Sport UK, the American and Chinese seasons run from March through the calendar year, with clubs in both leagues interested in recruiting Ibrahimovic for his sporting and commercial appeal.
While United would prefer to retain last season’s leading scorer within the first-team squad until his contract expires in June, it is conscious that the Swede’s value in China or the United States would be increased by arriving for the start of their leagues.
Whatever decision Ibrahimovic makes on a mid-season move, United believe the striker will not extend his Old Trafford stay into a third campaign.
With Romelu Lukaku established as the club’s first-choice centre forward following an initial £75 million summer switch from Everton, United could only offer Ibrahimovic a role as a squad player, something the famously self-confident Swede is not expected to countenance.
Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined with a cartilage problem associated with the double cruciate ligament rupture he suffered in April but United are confident the ligaments of his surgically-repaired right knee are in “top” condition, offering no major obstacle to continuing his playing career. The 36-year-old made four substitute appearances and two first-team starts between November 18 and December 26
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