Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Zlatan Ibrahimovic Rumours, More

LA Galaxy are already plotting a move for Manchester United star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as the MLS side would prefer to sign the Swede over Wayne Rooney, who is also on their radar.

That's according to the Daily Mirror's John Cross, who reported Ibrahimovic's contract will expire at the end of the season. There's an option for a second year, but given the 35-year-old's dreadful form, triggering that option isn't a straightforward decision for the player or the club.

Ibrahimovic moved to Old Trafford from Paris Saint-Germain during the summer and had a fantastic start to his Premier League career, scoring early and often in his first matches. His great form soon evaporated, however, and his current form is far from impressive, as shared by Squawka's Kevin Blundell:

The veteran striker hasn't scored a goal since the 1-0 win over Zorya Luhansk in the UEFA Europa League in September, and in that time, he's missed a ton of good chances that could have won his team points.

Manchester Evening News' Rob Dawson thinks he could face the chop soon:

The former Juventus man has found success everywhere he's played so far, routinely switching clubs and winning trophies in new places. Last season, he was by far the most productive striker in Ligue 1, guiding Les Parisiens to yet another title.

He hasn't been as consistently successful in the Champions League, however, and was almost invisible for Sweden during UEFA Euro 2016. Given his age, it was fair to ask whether the star forward was finally slowing down.

VI-Images/Getty Images

Former Arsenal star Thierry Henry told Sky Sports (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani) Ibrahimovic will find his shooting boots again:

"

All the questions have been about Jose Mourinho and Wayne Rooney but now they are about Zlatan Ibrahimovic. It's the first time he's found himself in this situation in his career.

He usually puts them in the back of the net because this doesn't happen to him often.

He's going to have to deal with it. I know he has the character and the ability to deal with it but it will be better for him if it happens sooner rather than later.

[…]

Yes, it does affect you but I would still back him to deliver for United because of the player he was and he is still.

It hasn't happened for him recently for United, but he needs to find a way to score goals because they need that.

"

But while Ibrahimovic searches for his shooting boots, United continue their slide down the standings. Star youngster Anthony Martial isn't getting many opportunities to show he could do a better job than the Swede, stunting his development in the process.

Ibrahimovic was never going to be a long-term solution at the striker position―he's 35 years old, and links to MLS have been frequent for some time now. Per Jeff Carlisle and Doug McIntyre of ESPN FC, he held talks with MLS sides before he decided to try his luck at Old Trafford.

United manager Jose Mourinho has so far stuck with his veteran forward, and as of right now, it's too early to suggest Ibrahimovic will leave the Red Devils after one season. Unlike Rooney, who hasn't started a Premier League match in some time and no longer appears to be in Mourinho's plans, Ibrahimovic still has the full support of his coach.

But if his scoring issues persist, a split may be beneficial for both parties, allowing the Red Devils to find a younger, long-term option at the striker position and Ibrahimovic to make the move to a less-competitive league it's assumed he will eventually make.