Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Manchester United career appeared to be over.
Having ruptured knee ligaments in the Europa League meeting with Anderlecht last April, it was confirmed at the end of the season that the 35-year-old would be released by the club when his contract expired on July 1.
As things stand, Ibrahimovic remains without a club, but his ahead-of-schedule recovery from what many assumed to be a long-term injury has seen Jose Mourinho openly admit that he intends to offer the player a short-term deal at Old Trafford later in the season.
The former Sweden international, who has continued to use United’s facilities during his recuperation, posted another reminder that he was on course for an earlier-than-expected return on his social media accounts on Sunday evening.
‘Which knee?’ his tweet read, with a video showing him landing a couple of kicks on a punchbag.
Which knee? @azsportswear #azbyzlatan pic.twitter.com/xp3Aqmgdkv
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) August 20, 2017
Eric Bailly, one of his (former?) United teammates was quick to respond to the tweet, explaining that he hoped Ibrahimovic was ‘almost ready to return’. Much to the amusement of many United supporters, the Ivorian’s tweet was also accompanied by a video, in which the defender can be seen landing a kick of his own on an unsuspecting Ibrahimovic’s arse.
Hope you're almost ready to return, @Ibra_official, I'll be right here! 😎👊🏾 pic.twitter.com/LHMS6StsXO
— Eric Bailly (@ericbailly24) August 20, 2017
Earlier in the day, it was reported that Ibrahimovic would sign a new deal with United this week.
