This past Thursday night, Zlatan Ibrahimovic suffered what Manchester United have called “significant ligament damage” in his knee. There’s been reports that Ibrahimovic could be out until January of 2018. Other reports indicate that Ibra may never even play again.
The 35-year-old Swedish striker has said this season that he’s aging like a fine wine. He then took bold statement up a notch by saying he’s aging like Benjamin Button. Thus, you knew Zlatan Ibrahimovic was going to make a strong sentiment about his future.
He’s vowing to return, and he’s traveled to the United States to begin the road to returning.
“He is in America and that’s the only thing that matters now,” Mourinho told Sky Sports. “He is in America to have the surgery and start the recovery process.”
Sources confirmed to ESPN FC that Ibrahimovic made the trip to Pittsburgh to see knee specialist Freddie Fu.
In an Instagram post, Zlatan acknowledges that he’ll be “out of football for a while,” but then stated: “I will go through this like everythings else and come back even stronger.”
“One thing is for sure, I decide when its time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon.”
Ibrahimovic’s teammate, Ander Herrera backs Ibra to recover from his knee ligament damage and play again.
“Of course he can (get back),” Herrera said without hesitation. (by the way, Herrera himself faces a fitness test in order to be ready for the Manchester Derby on Thursday night.)
“First because he is privileged physically. His physique, his body is one of the best I have ever seen so I think it will be easier for him to get back than others.
“But of course he is 35, he will have to work very, very hard, be very patient.”
“But I have no doubt he will be back because he loves football, he loves to win, he loves to score goals.”
“He loves to train every day. Every day he wants to win, every box, every football tennis, everything in training, so I have no doubt he will be back.”
“But we have to be, everyone, supporting them – not only Zlatan also Marcos because they are really bad moments for them.”
United already face a fitness test for Paul Pogba, who is a doubt for the game, Jose Mourinho revealed. Ibrahimovic has been offered a rich deal by both the Major League Soccer clubs in Los Angeles- the L.A. Galaxy and LAFC. Ibra’s former United teammate, Bastian Schweinsteiger said today that Ibrahimovic should make the move to MLS.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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