For anyone that saw the images of Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s hyperextended knee, the news that the Swedish striker has sustained ligament damage is no real surprise.
The 35-year-old landed awkwardly during the final seconds of normal time in Manchester United’s 2-1 victory over Anderlecht on Thursday night and was replaced by Anthony Martial for extra time.
With contrasting stories surfacing on Friday about the severity of the injury, it’s now being reported by James Robson in the Manchester Evening News that tests have confirmed ligament damage and that the striker’s season is over.
With Ibrahimovic yet to agree an extension to his deal at Old Trafford, there’s also a very real possibility that Thursday night may well have been his final appearance in a United shirt.
For now though, it seems clear that the former Paris Saint-Germain striker won’t be available as United attempt to finish in the Premier League’s top four and, probably more importantly, their Europa League semi-final against Celta Vigo. If his club-mates are successful against the Spanish side, he will also miss the opportunity to play in the final in Stockholm, back in his native Sweden.
ESPN is reporting that the Swede will be out until at least January 2018. It has been unable to confirm, though, if United would be obliged to offer him that contract extension.
Obviously, the loss of their top scorer is a huge problem for United, who are also missing Juan Mata through injury.
Worse still, defender Marcos Rojo, who has been excellent since returning to the first-team this season, also picked up a knee injury which could also keep him sidelined for the remainder of the season.
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