Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho: 'Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return in 2017'

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has predicted that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to action before the end of the year.

Ibrahimovic has been absent since April after suffering a serious knee injury, but United still opted to hand the 36-year-old a new contract after scoring 28 goals last season.

Club legend Andrew Cole has revealed that the Swede is targeting a return in the closing weeks of the year, and Mourinho has acknowledged that the forward is making progress with his rehabilitation.

The 54-year-old told reporters: "Zlatan is here, under our control, working as I would expect, so, so hard, but he's not back in a week or a couple of weeks.

"Let's let him take his time and be back in the right moment. Do I think he will be back in 2017? Yes I do, but it's just a feeling."

Ibrahimovic was named in United's squad for the Champions League group stages, but the veteran striker may have to wait until the last 16 in February.