With reports continuing to swirl over the future of Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, it is now rumoured that the journeyman forward will only commit to the club if they offer him a two-year deal as opposed to a one-year extension.

The extension, which is a clause in his current deal, is something which manager Jose Mourinho has made very clear he is keen to activate.

The former Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona striker has already bagged 26 goals in a Manchester United shirt since his arrival from Paris, on a free, over the summer, despite many claiming that the 35-year-old would not be able to hack it in the Premier League at his age.

The retired Sweden international has already scored nine more goals than United’s top goalscorer from last season, Anthony Martial (17), and you have to go back to the 2012/13 season to find anyone who scored more goals for the Red Devils than Ibrahimovic, when Robin van Persie netted 30 all season, a target Zlatan has plenty of time to surpass.

The Swede has brought an air of confidence, arrogance and relentlessness with him to the club, something United sides have arguably been lacking over the past few seasons, and Mourinho must squeeze every ounce out of the hit man whilst he can.

Whether or not Ibrahimovic can live up to the standards he has set this season over the next couple of years is debatable, although having proved all doubters wrong this term, you would back him to continue that trend wherever he plays his football next season.

Goals is not the be all and end all of his influence, however. Mourinho has a crop of highly talented youngsters at his disposal, especially in the attacking berths.

The likes of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard and even Paul Pogba, will all grow dramatically as players over the next two years should they continue to work with Ibrahimovic day in day out at the club.

Not only will he be able to advise on certain areas of their game, but his attitude will continue to rub off on the squad, meaning when the time comes that he does leave Old Trafford behind, there will be a number of players prepared to step into his shoes with the same mentality.

Therefore, while a two-year deal may not be the most sensible in terms of a return on the pitch, especially in the latter stages, the impact that keeping a player of Ibrahimovic’s pedigree at the club for as long as possible can have a serious benefit to those stepping up at United for the rest of their careers.