Zlatan Ibrahimovic May Complete Injury Rehab at Manchester United Without Deal

Manchester United are reportedly "happy" to allow Zlatan Ibrahimovic to continue his injury recovery at Old Trafford even if he does not sign a new deal with the club.

Per The Times' Paul Hirst and Matt Hughes, the Swede's cruciate ligament injury is expected to keep him out of action for eight months.

Ibrahimovic has the option to extend his one-year deal with United, but even if he doesn't, the club will continue to support him beyond the summer.

The Red Devils paid for Ibrahimovic to have an operation on his knee in the United States on Monday, and the surgery was a success.

His agent, Mino Raiola, has vowed the 35-year-old will return:

The question is whether he will return for United or another side.

Even if he is out until around the end of the year, there would likely be no shortage of takers this summer to snap him up for free. Equally, he could return to fitness in time to join a club in January as a free agent.

The striker has bagged 28 goals and 10 assists in all competitions for United. While he has also been guilty of some wasteful performances, he has nevertheless produced an exceptional return in front of goal.

Football writer Liam Canning hailed his importance to the Red Devils this year:

United will have to reinforce this summer given Ibrahimovic will miss the start of next season even if he stays, but it would be a real boost for him to extend his deal, particularly if he is able to make his comeback without suffering any adverse effects from the injury.

The forward has defied expectations throughout his career, so hopefully he can do the same as he recovers from a disappointing blow.