This archive report was first published on 30 August 2019.
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has laughed off the idea of Zlatan Ibrahimovic making a shock return to the club, citing the striker's age as a major factor.
Speaking to the press, Solskjaer said, "If Zlatan was 28 at his next birthday, not 38, then maybe," highlighting the significant difference in age between the two.
Ibrahimovic spent 18 months at Old Trafford under previous manager Jose Mourinho, scoring 28 goals in his first season in 2016/17. However, he suffered a cruciate knee ligament injury and failed to recover his place in the side after Romelu Lukaku's arrival, triggering his 2018 move to LA Galaxy.
Despite Ibrahimovic's statement that he would be open to a return, Solskjaer believes that the striker has had his time at the club and has had a fantastic career.
"Zlatan had a great time here and he is still doing well. It was just unfortunate that he got his injury here," Solskjaer said.
With Ibrahimovic out of contract at LA Galaxy in November, Solskjaer will have to rely on a forward line of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood for goals before the transfer window opens again in January.
However, Martial will miss Saturday's trip to Southampton due to injury, while Luke Shaw will be out for a few weeks due to a hamstring problem.
As the transfer window shuts across Europe on Monday, there is also likely to be further movement out of United, with Chris Smalling on the verge of sealing a season-long loan to Italian giants Roma, and Matteo Darmian potentially returning to Serie A.
