Jose Mourinho hints key man could start Leicester v Man United
The Manchester United manager says Zlatan Ibrahimovic is ready to start his first Premier League game since April
Jose Mourinho has opened the door for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to start his first Premier League game this season when Manchester United make the trip to Leicester City on Saturday night.
The former Sweden international suffered a season-ending knee problem in Manchester United’s 1-0 win against Anderlecht in the Europa League quarter-final back in April.
Ibrahimovic made his first start since the serious injury on Wednesday night and the 36-year-old scored in Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Bristol City in the League Cup quarter-finals at Ashton Gate.
The veteran striker has more competition for a first-team place in the Manchester United team following the arrival of Romelu Lukaku in a £75m deal from Premier League rivals Everton.
However, Mourinho has hinted that Ibrahimovic could start alongside Lukaku in Manchester United’s clash against Leicester at the King Power Stadium on Saturday night.
“Yes, he’s an option,” Mourinho told his pre-match media conference.
“He played one hour, a bit more [against Bristol City], could be that he is ready to start the match, 90 minutes probably too much, depends on the match.
“I think he’s ready to start.”
Ibrahimovic has scored 28 times in all competitions in the 2016-17 season following a free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016 summer transfer window.
The Swedish forward scored twice in Manchester United’s 3-2 win over Southampton in the League Cup final at Wembley back in February.
Manchester United are 11 points behind runaway leaders Manchester City following their 2-1 loss to their derby rivals at Old Trafford earlier this month.
