Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave Man Utd

Zlatan Ibrahimovic to leave Manchester United after club decide against deal

• United decline to take up option for second year on striker’s contract
• Cruciate ligament injury has ended Ibrahimovic’s time at Old Trafford

Manchester United will not offer Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new deal when his current contract expires at the end of the month.

The 35-year-old had an option for a second season at United – following his influential first campaign in English football – but a cruciate ligament has finished his career at Old Trafford. The Swede will be 36 by the time he next plays, with the knee injury expected to keep the striker out until early 2018.

The Premier League’s retained list will be released on Friday and Ibrahimovic’s name is set to be one of the main talking points. The striker scored at Wembley in both United’s Community Shield and EFL Cup successes, as well as playing an important role in their triumphant Europa League campaign.

That competition has now witnessed his final appearance for United, after he sustained the ligament damage in April’s quarter-final second leg against Anderlecht. His agent, Mino Raiola, says Ibrahimovic is not short of offers. “Many clubs have asked for Zlatan,” Raiola said. “He can play two more years and will stay in Europe, 100%.”

Ibrahimovic’s release means a new No9 is high on United’s list of priorities this summer and a £60m offer for Álvaro Morata is expected to be submitted. José Mourinho has identified the 24-year-old as his primary attacking target after the France international Antoine Griezmann confirmed he will not be leaving Atlético Madrid. Negotiations with Real Madrid have taken place this week, with United’s first offer of €60m (£52m) turned down as the Champions League winners value him significantly higher at €90m.

Guardian