11/08/2017 14:26, Report by Adam Higgins

Jose Mourinho has confirmed Manchester United are holding discussions with Zlatan Ibrahimovic over a possible return to the club in the second half of the 2017/18 season.  

The Swedish striker made a huge impact last term, finishing as the Reds’ top scorer with 28 goals in 46 appearances, before suffering a serious knee injury against Anderlecht in April which ended his season prematurely.   

Since his contract expired in the summer, the 35-year-old has stepped up his rehabilitation in recent weeks and is battling back to fitness at the Aon Training Complex, although there is no rush on his comeback.

Speaking in his press conference ahead of Sunday’s Premier League game against West Ham, Mourinho stated that Ibrahimovic feels he has unfinished business at Old Trafford and the door remains open for the striker to possibly return during the season.

"He’s injured and he needs time to recover," said Mourinho. "He's not ready to play tomorrow, he’s not something urgent, he's not something you are desperate to have it done, or not done.

"I just think he was very clear by showing what he did last year was not enough for him. He thinks he can do more, he wants more at football’s highest level, so we are having conversations and we are discussing the possibility of him staying with us for the second part of the season."

Ibrahimovic, who turns 36 in October, quickly became a fans’ favourite among the Reds faithful last term, hitting 17 goals in the Premier League alone and scoring two winning goals at Wembley to clinch the Community Shield and EFL Cup respectively.