Jose Mourinho: 'Zlatan Ibrahimovic will need time'

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has warned that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will 'need time' to get back to peak form following his return from a long-term injury.

The 36-year-old has been on the sidelines since April with a knee injury but has made a speedier-than-expected recovery and has been named as a shock inclusion in Mourinho's squad to face Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Swede was in fine form for the Red Devils last season, scoring 28 goals in 46 appearances prior to his injury, but Mourinho admits that he is being cautious with his expectations as the striker returns to action.

"He made a full recovery. But you cannot expect him to be ready to play 90 minutes or to be ready to play consecutive matches like he did all his career," Mourinho told reporters today.

"Now he needs time to be back to his level, his fitness, his confidence, his sharpness, his everything.

"But from the clinical point of view, for him to be good and ready is fantastic."

Ibrahimovic's return comes as United look to claw back an eight-point gap to league leaders Manchester City.