Zlatan Ibrahimovic was a massive success at Manchester United last season, scoring 28 goals across all competitions in his only year at Old Trafford, before his spell at the club was ended prematurely by injury.

The Swedish striker was forced to miss the Europa League final and saw his chances of extending his period in the Premier League. It seemed that was the end of Ibrahimovic’s chapter in English football but Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing the veteran striker back into the side.

Widespread reports throughout the summer months have indicated that Manchester United are in-talks to bring Ibrahimovic back to the club, with The Independent claiming that Mourinho is keen to see Ibrahimovic’s position at the club develop into a coaching role.

Preliminary talks regarding a new contract for the striker suggest that a new role has been discussed for Ibrahimovic once his playing days are over, which would see him act as a coach but also act as a bridge between the players and the management.

It would be a similar role to Didier Drogba’s position at Chelsea, who boasts a legendary status at Stamford Bridge, and the ability to hand Mourinho a key-figure in the training room that’s respected amongst the playing staff.

Ibrahimovic is keen to continue his playing career but at the age of 35 he doesn’t have too many years left in him and the Swedish icon needs to start preparing for the next stage of his footballing career, which is set to lie off the field.

Jose Mourinho has already confirmed that he’s keen to bring Ibrahimovic back to Old Trafford, discussing the possibility of a return for the striker. Speaking to the press during the Super Cup, the Portuguese boss said:

“We are discussing the possibility of him to stay with us. It was very clear from him that what he did last year was not enough for him. He wants more football at the highest level so we are having conversations and discussing the possibility of him staying for the second part of the season.”

“He is injured, he needs time to recover, and is not ready to play tomorrow. It’s not something that’s urgent, it’s not desperate to have it done or not.”

With Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial already in the side, Manchester United boast an abundance of attacking ability but need the depth to be able to cope with being involved on all fronts.