Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that the club will trigger the option in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's contract to extend the Swedish superstar's stay at Old Trafford into a second season, with the dealnow due toexpire in June2018.
Ibrahimovic had initiallysigned a one-year contract in July after leaving Paris Saint-Germain as a free agent at the end of last season, but the terms included an optional further 12 months.
Jose confirms #MUFC will take up the option to extend @Ibra_official's contract for a second season, running until the end of 2017/18. pic.twitter.com/eQfTxNWoEZ
Zlatan, who celebrated his 35th birthday in October, has scored six goals in his first 11 Premier League appearances, as well as once in the Europa League.
His reduced output in front of goal compared to 2015/16 with PSG has led to some criticism, but 90min's own Scott Saunders is happy with Ibrahimovic's return so far and believes the striker's form is not a problem that neeUnited need to address (watch the video below for more).
Many might have expected Ibrahimovic to retire when his time at United comes to an end. He cast such thoughts into doubt this week, though, when he suggested that he is still eyeing a move to Major League Soccer before he's ready to hang up his boots for good.
"It's a huge option for me," Ibrahimovic said toSweden'sAftonbladetabout moving stateside.
"For the football and everything else. I can see myself conquering the US as I have with Europe. Lots of people stay in one place throughout their career, but I've travelled around like Napoleon, and conquered every new country where I've set foot."
Ibrahimovic had spoken about playing in America previously and hinted it was one of his ambitions when chatting to the local media during a pre-season tour in 2015. LA Galaxy were also thought to be one of the clubs vying for his signature before he chose United.
By the summer of 2018, Ibrahimovic would be 36 going on 37. He has been in the best physical condition of his career since turning 30 and he would be no older than Frank Lampard or Didier Drogba, both of whom have enjoyed successful recent MLS stints.
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