Man United to take up option on Ibrahimovic extension
Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 35, initially penned a one-year contract with the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months, a clause that manager Jose Mourinho says Manchester United plans to exercise.
Published : Nov 23, 2016 20:11 IST
Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Manchester United will take up the option to extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic's deal by an extra year until 2018.
The Sweden great moved to Old Trafford on a free transfer in the close-season after four successful and trophy-laden seasons at Paris Saint-Germain, during which time he became the club's record goal scorer. Ibrahimovic, 35, initially penned a one-year contract with the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months, a clause that manager Mourinho says United plans to exercise.
"The Zlatan situation is simple, he has one year plus another year at the club and we are happy with him," Mourinho told a news conference ahead of United's Europa League clash against Feyenoord. "We are going to execute the extra year option. In two years' time he will be free. He is happy and he is committed. It's the last big challenge of his wonderful career."
Ibrahimovic has scored six goals in his opening 11 Premier League matches, but appeared to cast doubt on prolonging his stay at Old Trafford into a second season when he spoke of his desire to "conquer" America in the MLS.
The former AC Milan striker has long-since been linked to a move across the Atlantic and told Aftonbladet on Tuesday: "Playing in the USA is a huge option for me.
"For the football and everything else. I can see myself conquering the US as I have with Europe. Lots of people stay in one place throughout their career, but I have travelled around like Napoleon, and conquered every new country where I have set foot. So perhaps I should do what Napoleon did not and cross the Atlantic and conquer the States as well."
Ibrahimovic - who previously played under Mourinho at Inter in Serie A - also spoke of the possibility of staying in Manchester, though, and he is seemingly now staying in the Premier League for a second term.
United has made an indifferent start to the Mourinho era and are sixth in the league, nine points adrift of leader Chelsea.