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On Thursday, it was revealed that Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has left Manchester United after the Red Devils agreed to terminate the veteran forwards contract.
The news broke on Manchester United’s official, with a statement reading,
Manchester United confirms that it has agreed to the termination of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract with immediate effect.
Everyone at the club would like to thank Zlatan for his contribution to the team since his arrival and wishes him well for the future.
The fact that the Swede is leaving the Premier League club may not be a surprise. However, the timing of his move is surprising considering it is so close to the end of the season.
Injury finished Ibrahimovic’s United career
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in the twilight of his career when he arrived at Old Trafford in the summer of 2016. In fact, he was in his mid-thirties when he made the free switch United.
Many doubted the striker’s ability to cut it in the Premier League at the back end of his career. However, he proved his doubters wrong by scoring 29 goals in 53 appearances for the Red Devils, helping the club to win the Europa League and League Cup last season.
Ibrahimovic’s campaign was brought a premature end last season, as he sustained an anterior cruciate ligament injury in late February. Most players at 35 would have decided to retire from players and move in another direction with their lives.
However, Ibrahimovic is not most players and managed to recover from the serious injury in 216 days. United had released the striker at the end of last season after his one-year deal in Manchester expired. However, once he recovered from injury, United boss Jose Mourinho decided to hand the Swede another short-term contract until the end of this season.
Unfortunately, for Ibrahimovic, he has made just seven appearances for the Red Devils this season and started just one Premier League game. One of the factors in his limited game time is Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku, who has done a decent job at replacing the Swede in the United front line.
Ibrahimovic was no longer United’s star forward, which was illustrated in the lack of playing time for the Swedish star once he had recovered from injury. Ibrahimovic was never going to be a player for the long-term at United, but he did pretty in the short-term for the men from Manchester.
Set for a move to MLS
Ibrahimovic has long been linked with a move to MLS, as he has revealed in the past that he likes the lifestyle in LA especially. According to the Metro, Ibrahimovic is set to join LA Galaxy and finish his career in the US top-flight. The Galaxy are currently favourites to sign the striker.
A number of former Premier League stars have played for the Galaxy, including former England captains David Beckham and Steven Gerrard. Former Chelsea and Arsenal full-back Ashley Cole is currently plying his trade in LA.
There is no doubt about it Zlatan Ibrahimovic is one of the greatest footballers of his generation. He has won medals, awards and silverware all over the world. He may not have won the Premier League title, but it would be accurate to say that he enjoyed a successful stint at United and will be remembered for a long time in Manchester.
Will Zlatan Ibrahimovic soon be plying his trade in MLS?
