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Manchester United's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets treatment after injuring his knee during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match between Manchester United and Anderlecht at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF        (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)
Manchester United's Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic gets treatment after injuring his knee during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final second leg football match between Manchester United and Anderlecht at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 20, 2017. / AFP PHOTO / Oli SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)OLI SCARFF/Getty Images

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Stretchered off After Suffering Leg Injury vs. Anderlecht

Gianni VerschuerenApr 20, 2017

Manchester United have suffered what looks to be a major blow, as Zlatan Ibrahimovic picked up a significant knee injury during the team's UEFA Europa League quarter-final on Thursday and was stretchered off the field.

The veteran striker landed awkwardly in the final minute of normal time against RSC Anderlecht and could not continue. The Telegraph noted he was replaced by Anthony Martial and provided a picture of the moment of impact:

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United manager Jose Mourinho said the initial prognosis is "fairly negative," according to Shamoon Hafez of BBC Sport.

The 35-year-old is in his first season at Old Trafford after a lengthy spell with Paris Saint-Germain, and he has made a big impression in English football.

Ibrahimovic has long been regarded as one of the best strikers in the world and for good reason; he has netted 17 goals in his first term in the Premier League and was recently nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.

The sharpshooter has a long record of success wherever he goes, winning domestic titles in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France, and the Red Devils are hopeful that trend will continue in England.

He'll have to stay healthy for that, however, as Ibrahimovic is a key part of Mourinho's team. Marcus Rashford and Martial have flashed their talent at times this season, but the Swede is by far United's best and most consistent option up front.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 31: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Middlesbrough at Old Trafford on December 31, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Baylis - AMA/Getty Images)

Wayne Rooney has mostly played as an attacking midfielder this season, when he has played, and he could move to the striker position if Ibrahimovic is out for an extended period of time.

None of those options has the same raw scoring ability as the Swede, however, nor the talismanic talent to haul United through some big games between now and the end of the campaign.

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