Manchester United reportedly set to release Zlatan Ibrahimović

Zlatan Ibrahimović looks set to have played his last game for Manchester United, with reports on Thursday suggesting that the club are unwilling to extend the Swede’s current deal. Confirmation is expected on Friday, when the Premier League will publish its list of retained players.

Ibrahimović’s one-year United contract expires at the end of the month, and with the veteran attacker set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a serious knee injury, ESPNFC are reporting that the club have “decided it does not make economic sense to continue to pay Ibrahimovic reported wages of more than £300,000-a-week with no prospect of him playing for at least the first five months of the season.”

It was certainly fun having one of the best players of the era knocking around for a season, and even better that Ibra chipped in with as many goals as he did. In all, the 35-year-old netted 28 times for United — a thoroughly impressive return for a player of his age.

However, that heads are ruling hearts can only be a good thing, and United can now move on and find a long-term attacking replacement. Álvaro Morata, Andrea Belotti and Romelu Lukaku have all been linked with moves to Old Trafford in recent weeks, though interest in Antoine Griezmann has reportedly cooled.