Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is expecting Zlatan Ibrahimovic to return to action before the end of the year.
The veteran striker had a huge impact on Manchester United last season before succumbing to a serious knee injury in April, but he rejoined the club in the summer on a new one-year contract.
The Swede has been recovering from the knee surgery and the club have been happy with his progress in recent months as he undergoes a lengthy rehabilitation process.
Ibrahimovic was expected to be out until January because of the seriousness of the injury, but progress has been good and Mourinho feels he could return before the year is out.
However, the Manchester United manager is still unsure when Paul Pogba will return despite talk of him playing against Swansea in the EFL Cup next week.
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Mourinho said in a press conference: “Paul is not here, I don’t know when he comes back, when he’s available, I’ve no idea.
“Zlatan is here, he’s working here, under our control, he’s working so hard, but he’s not to be back in the next week or couple of weeks, let him take his time and be back when everyone feels is the right moment.
“Do I think he will be back in 2017? Yes I do.”
Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions last season before suffering the knee injury.
