Manchester United have decided against renewing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's one-year contract, which will come to end on 30 June. The Swede's name was not on the Red Devils' list of retained players, released by the Premier League on Friday.
The veteran striker impressed in his very first season in England, scoring 28 goals in all competitions for the Red Devils after moving from Paris Saint-Germain on the one-year-deal, with an option to extend it to another year.
Ibrahimovic also led United to Community Shield and EFL Cup success and was also key to their victorious Europa League campaign, in which he scored five goals. However, his season came to an early end after he suffered a knee injury - cruciate ligament - during United's Europa League match at the Old Trafford against Anderlecht in April.
Despite having undergone a successful surgery in the United States in May, Ibrahimovic is not expected to return to competitive action until the early 2018, which is likely to have pushed United to decide against extending his one-year term.
Ibrahimovic though will remain at United to continue with his recovery process at the Carrington training complex of the Premier League club. The Red Devils have not commented on the Swede's name not being on their retained players' list, which, according to the BBC, has not ruled out a new contract for him at a later stage.
While one could not have ruled out the chances of him successfully recovering from the injury and returning to the first team next season, the Red Devils must have considered the economic impact an extension would have on the team's budget as the Swede reportedly earns £300,000-a-week.
However, United are in need of an immediate replacement and among the favourites join Mourinho's side are Torino's Andrea Belotti and Real Madrid's Alvaro Morata.
Everton's Romelu Lukaku, who finished behind top-scorer Harry Kane with 25 goals in recently-concluded the league season, was also on United's radar. However, the Red Devils were reportedly told that the 24-year-old is close to confirming a deal, which will enable him a Stamford Bridge return.
