Jose Mourinho will not prevent Zlatan Ibrahimovic from leaving Manchester United if the Swedish striker expresses a desire to move on.
The 36-year-old frontman was brought back to Old Trafford on a short-term deal after working his way back from knee ligament surgery.
He has, however, struggled to make the expected impact with the Red Devils after suffering further fitness issues.
United – who saw Ibrahimovic net 28 times across all competitions last season – have also moved to further bolster their attacking ranks with the addition of Alexis Sanchez.
Taking that into account, and with talk of a possible move to MLS side the LA Galaxy building, Mourinho has said of the exit talk surrounding an enigmatic talent: “He told me nothing about it [the Galaxy links]. The first time I read or heard something about that was from the media. He never mentioned that to me so I don’t know.
“Zlatan is in the last year of his contract. If that is true and Zlatan wants a future in another club in another country we are here to help and to create conditions for that to happen, not to make his life difficult.”
Ibrahimovic, who is tied to United until the end of the 2017-18 campaign, has made just seven appearances since returning to the fold in November, netting one goal.
He has been out of action since Boxing Day, with the knee first damaged in a Europa League clash with Anderlecht last season still causing him problems.
Hard work is being put in behind the scenes to get back to full fitness, with Mourinho conceding that a lack of match sharpness is now the only issue holding him back.
The Portuguese added: “The last thing that Zlatan told me was that he wants to recover totally and feel ready to help the team.
“He is working hard to be fit. He is not injured, he is in a moment of trying to feel really ready for the demands of Premier League football.”
Ibrahimovic helped the Red Devils to major honours during his first spell with the club, with match-winning goals recorded in the Community Shield and EFL Cup final and five efforts contributed to an ultimately successful Europa League campaign for Mourinho’s side.
