Man United break silence on potential Zlatan Ibrahimovic return
Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has left the door open for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to make a stunning return to Old Trafford.
Solskjaer was speaking to reporters after the club confirmed high-profile flop Alexis Sanchez had sealed his loan move to Inter Milan.
With the Italian giants having already signed striker Romelu Lukaku from United, it means the two stars will once again be reunited at Inter.
It also means that Solskjaer is left with just Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and 17-year-old Mason Greenwood as his recognised strikers.
There is something to be said for experience, though, and earlier in the week Ibrahimovic made the mouthwatering admission that he was open to a United return.
The 37-year-old is currently impressing in Major League Soccer for the LA Galaxy, where his contract expires at the end of the year.
United boss Solskjaer refused to rule out the possibility of the Swedish superstar returning to the club if he was serious.
“Well, if he was 28 and not 38 next month it’s a big difference!” Solskjaer said.
“But Zlatan has had a great time here and of course he’s still doing well. He was just unfortunate that he got his injury when he got it here.
“Who knows? He knows my number. He never rented my house but he was looking at it and we can speak a native language. If he’s serious, I’ll always speak to Zlatan.”
However, the United manager was less than convinced that Ibrahimovic's comments about wanting to come back to Old Trafford were genuine.
“I don’t think that’ll happen, no. I think he’s had his time at the club.
“He’s had a fantastic career and I wouldn’t expect him to be serious either when he said that.”
Solskjaer said he felt Sanchez “needed to go” but backed the Chilean to rediscover his form at Inter Milan.
A fortnight on from the manager backing 30-year-old Sanchez to turn around his Old Trafford career, the forward completed his loan move to Inter for the rest of the season.
The Chile international has fallen well short of expectations and done precious little to justify his eye-watering wages, which United are reportedly covering a hefty chunk of during his stint in Serie A.
The forward mustered a paltry five goals in 45 appearances for United and Solskjaer believes the move was best for all parties.
“I think Alexis needed to go,” the United boss said. “Because at the moment we know he has been here now for 18 months and it’s not really worked out for him.
“For him as well to restart and get himself playing regularly, getting himself scoring goals, that loan will benefit everyone in the end.
“For us, we’re going to watch every weekend now to see Romelu (Lukaku) and Alexis playing together.”
It is quite the about-turn from Solskjaer, given he not only admitted United’s forward line was light but backed Sanchez to “come good at this club”.
“I think he will come good for them,” the Norwegian said. “Just, for us, we had a decision to make here. I’m trusting Anthony (Martial), Marcus (Rashford), Mason (Greenwood) to be our centre forwards.
“We’ve got wingers in Chongy (Tahith Chong), Dan James, (Andreas) Pereira, we’ve got loads of options.
“And, for me, it’s time for our boys to feel that pressure and responsibility, be more robust, knowing that ‘OK, I might have to play five games in a row’.
“And that’s another responsibility and something we’re looking forward to at this club.
“I trust the fitness staff and medical staff and that we’ve done the pre-season work.
“We’re mentally and physically more ready, and that’s the next step for our young players.”
With PA Sport