Jose Mourinho has confirmed that the contract of striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be extended by one year. The Swedish striker joined Manchester United only on a one-year contract in the summer. At 35 years of age, the future of the striker at the top level of the game was not expected to be more than a year at best. Yet, Ibrahimovic has surprised many including Mourinho and it seems that the striker is set for a new contract. According to the BBC, Mourinho said:
“We are going to execute the option of a second season. After that he can do what he wants.”
After having had a brilliant start to his life in the English league with four goals in as many games, Ibrahimovic has now managed only three goals in his last 10 appearances for the club. There were recent rumours that the striker was not happy with Mourinho not favouring aerobic exercises in training. Statistics show that Ibrahimovic is covering far less ground than he did well at PSG. There is no doubt that he is not performing at his best, but there were signs of resurgence in the 3-1 win over Swansea just before the international break.
Even if it is not for playing reasons, Mourinho would like to keep the striker at Old Trafford largely because he is such a great influence on the young players at the club. He recently spoke about Ibrahimovic’s mindset to help the team out at the time of crisis by even cancelling his pre-scheduled holiday. The Portuguese always loves a player who gives his 110% of the club and Ibrahimovic is certainly one of them. Ibrahimovic said:
“I feel in shape, feel fresh and good. If I feel like I do now, it will be a second year.”
Manchester United have been linked with a number of forwards in recent weeks. Concerns about the age of Ibrahimovic and Rooney coupled with Anthony Martial failing to make a major impact were seen as one of the main reasons.
Ibrahimovic says that he is feeling fresh and the striker clearly seems to be benefiting from his decision to retire from international football in the summer. After 116 games and 62 goals for the Swedish national team, Ibrahimovic decided to call it a day after the Euro 2016. It has provided the striker with some much-needed rest amidst a busy schedule of Premier League, EFL Cup, and Europa League games.
Regarded as one of the greatest forwards in recent history, Ibrahimovic has represented the top clubs like Inter Milan, Barcelona, Juventus, Ajax, and AC Milan. He has always won at least one trophy for every season since 2001, and it remains a phenomenal feat. There is, however, a probability that this record may be broken with United struggling for form after a brilliant start to life under Mourinho.
United have managed one win in the last four matches of all competitions.
