Jose Mourinho Believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic Will Return In 2017

Jose Mourinho believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make his Manchester United return before the year is out.

The Portuguese spoke to the media this afternoon ahead of his side's Premier League trip to Huddersfield on the weekend.

And he's told how the Swede could be back on the pitch again in 2017, speaking six months after the United striker suffered knee ligament damage in a game against Anderlecht at Old Trafford.

_{Ibrahimovic lands awkwardly on his knee before limping off against Anderlecht. Images: PA}

Zlatan left United at the end of last season after his contract expired, but he was then re-signed in August on a one-year deal.

Now it looks like Ibrahimovic could be available for Mourinho throughout the next two months.

"Zlatan is here," Mourinho said during the pre-Huddersfield press conference via the clubs official website. "He's working here and under our control."

_{Ibrahimovic cheers on his teammates from the touchline during the Europa League final. Image: PA}

"He's working as you would expect - so, so, so hard. But he's not going to be back in the next week or the next couple of weeks.

"Let him take his time and be back when everybody feels is the right moment. Do I believe he'll be back in 2017? Yes, I do. But it's just a feeling.

_{Lukaku has filled the void left by Zlatan following his impressive start as a United player. Image: PA}

So Mourinho has a 'feeling' that Zlatan will be back so we can't really take that as a definite end to his recovery period.

But it's promising for United, who are competing on all fronts for silverware this season.

They trail rivals Manchester City by two points at the top of the Premier League and have nine points from nine in the Champions League so far.

A fit Zlatan complimenting Romelu Lukaku for the second half of the season could be a decisive factor for Mourinho and his men.

This story was first featured on talkingbaws.com - simple, shareable sport. Like them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Topics: Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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