Zlatan Ibrahimovic Nearing the End of His Top-Level Career, Says Jose Mourinho

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on Sunday opined that Zlatan Ibrahimovic's time at the top level is almost at its end. 

According to MailOnline's Jack Bezants, the Special One said: 

"I wish I was his manager when he was 29 at Inter Milan. We can't stop time, and for players time means a lot. 

"Zlatan knows that. He knows that at the highest level he's in the last part of his career, but his dream, his desire, his fight was always to end at Manchester United his career at the highest level."

Ibrahimovic, 36, suffered a cruciate ligament injury in April, and after briefly returning to the side for seven appearances in November and December, a setback has seen him ruled out for another month.

Mourinho is hoping to have him back in February, though, per United's official Twitter account:

Nevertheless, football writer Liam Canning agrees with the manager's assessment of the striker:

Ibrahimovic has been one of Europe's deadliest goalscorers for almost two decades, with successful spells in the Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France.

He arrived at United last season and netted 28 goals for the club in all competitions despite doubts in some quarters as to whether he could replicate his form in the Premier League at his age.

The Swede had otherwise avoided serious injuries throughout his career, but to recover from one at his age and return to the top level is difficult.

The Red Devils boss still believes the striker can contribute at Old Trafford, though, adding:

"And, using the words he repeats all the time, being ­useful for me, for the team, and that I think he can. He just needs to feel ­really happy with his knee, with his condition and that I think he can.  

"As a leader in the dressing room, as a leader on the pitch, as a quality player on the pitch, I think he can do that, he deserves that and I'm here to try to help him do that."

For young players looking to improve their game—attackers in particular—there are few better to learn from than a striker who has netted more than 400 goals in his career, and his relentless winning mentality is a quality United have largely lost since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku appear to be incompatible on the field, so the former looks to have no long-term future at the club. However, he could still be used as an alternative to the Belgium international during the second half of the campaign if he can regain full fitness.