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MANCHESTER. – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rejoined Manchester United.
The Swede veteran yesterday signed a one-year contract at Old Trafford to once again link up with Jose Mourinho.
A deal was finalised in Monaco – where United chiefs were staying ahead of the Champions League draw yesterday.
Zlatan announced the deal with a mural on his Twitter page that showed him, dressed as an angel, shaking hands with a devil. Manchester United have also confirmed that Ibrahimovic has signed a new one-year deal with the club and will wear the number 10 shirt.
The former PSG, Barcelona, Inter Milan and Juventus striker will wear the No. 10 shirt, formerly in Wayne Rooney’s possession, after new £90m signing Romelu Lukaku took the No. 9 jersey in pre-season. But Ibrahimovic told ESPN: “Lukaku called me and said “bro can I get the No. 9 shirt?”. I said “I’m not on that level that I will make it difficult for you, I just want you to feel happy and feel welcome.
“So I give you the No. 9. But I will take the No. 10”. That’s the way we do it. So I never left, I just upgraded my number.
“Signing Lukaku makes us even stronger because he has different qualities from me as a striker and from Rashford as a striker. He is a powerful guy and he brings extra qualities in a game.”
The Swede was officially released in July after a stunning debut campaign at Old Trafford, where he scored 28 goals in all competitions.
The 35-year-old tore his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments after a nasty fall against Anderlecht in the Europa League and there were fears that he would not play again. However, United have been astonished by Ibrahimovic’s recovery and the Jose Mourinho says the Swede will be “important” in the second phase of the season.
“We are delighted Zlatan is on the road to recovery and we are equally delighted to have his ambition and experience back with us,” said Jose Mourinho.
“After his contribution last season he deserves our trust and we will be patient waiting for him to return. I have no doubt that he will be important in the second part of the season.”
Ibrahimovic has been working hard on his recovery and the Swede says he can’t wait to play at Old Trafford again.
“I am back to finish what I started. It was always mine and the club’s intention for me to stay,” said Ibrahimovic.
“I cannot wait to get back out on that Old Trafford pitch, but I also know that I have to take my time to make sure that I am ready. I have been working hard and will continue to do so to make sure I am in the best possible condition for my return to the pitch.”
It marks an incredible comeback for Ibra (35) who looked to have played his last game for United when he suffered knee ligament damage in April.
But months of gruelling rehabilitation at the club’s Carrington training ground has seen the striker fully recover from his injury.
Ibrahimovic will bolster Mourinho’s attacking options ahead of a long Premier League and Champions League campaign. Romelu Lukaku signed for United in a stunning £75million move last month but is currently the only out-and-out striker in the first-team.
Ibrahimovic signed for the Red Devils last summer on a free transfer after running out his contract at Paris Saint-Germain. His new deal leaves Ibra with one last crack at winning the Champions League – a trophy he has never got his hands on throughout his illustrious career.
The forward played for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Barcelona, AC Milan, and PSG before moving to the Premier League.
Last season, he inspired United to League Cup success and won the Europa League, despite missing the final through injury. – Sky Sports.
Online Reporter