Mourinho: Ibrahimovic to return to training at beginning of February

Jose Mourinho has provided an update on Zlatan Ibrahimovic, revealing the Manchester United striker is expected to return to training at the end of January or beginning of February.

The 36-year-old striker suffered a serious knee injury in April 2016 and impressively returned in November, making a handful of appearances before requiring another spell on the sidelines.

Speaking during a press conference at the Aon Training Complex on Friday, Mourinho said: “Zlatan is injured, or is not totally happy with his condition. He fought like a tiger, like he likes to say, to be back, which he did. He was starting having minutes here and there, he had a start, he had 60 minutes of one game and started another one, and had 45 [minutes], and he was not happy with his feelings.

“He consulted other doctors and other opinions, and we all made the decision to stop treatment. When he's feeling really good, he can come back to work. The date for him to be back to training with the team was around the end of January or beginning of February, so let's hope his feelings are better and we have him as soon as possible.”

"Axel Tuanzebe is a very good player that is not having lots of possibilities to play here," said the boss. "But he's our player and he will be our player - no chance we give up on such a talented boy. 

"But it is something we are thinking about, a loan until the end of the season. Yes or no. We are a bit afraid of injuries, of needs and needing him. We have Eric Bailly injured, we are not free of other injuries. So we are delaying the decision and we are going to delay it until the end of the transfer window.“