Manchester United set to open talks with Zlatan Ibrahimovic over new deal

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to open negotiations with Manchester United over a new deal, which could keep him at Old Trafford for a further 12 months.

The Swede returned to action in United's 4-1 win against Newcastle United earlier this month, after spending seven months on the sidelines following a severe injury sustained in April, which saw him rupture knee ligaments.

United released Ibrahimovic at the end of last season before he signed a new one-year deal with the club as he continued his rehabilitation and the 20-time champions of England look set to sit down with the striker's representatives again.

According to the Sun, the 36-year-old will be offered a 12-month extension in January, before making the expected leap across the Atlantic and end his career in Major League Soccer.

The former Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain forward is aware he has missed a lot football after his injury, but both him and Jose Mourinho are understood to have vowed to be perfectly transparent about future plans when negotiations begin.

Ibrahimovic was well supported by United as he worked his way back to fitness and was allowed to use the club's Carrington facilities even before signing a one-year extension in August and, earlier this month, he revealed the injury was a lot more serious than many thought

"If people knew the real injury they would be in shock that I was even playing," he said. "It was more than the knee but I will keep it personal."

The former Sweden captain, who arrived on a free transfer from PSG in the summer of 2016, made an immediate impact in his first season in England, scoring 28 goals in 46 games in all competitions, including a late winner as United beat Southampton in the League Cup final.

According to Football Leaks: The Dirty Business of Football Ibrahimovic earned a basic wage of £367,640-per-week during his first season at United, while he was also paid a goal bonus of £2.86m, taking his annual pay packet to £19.11m during the 2016-17 campaign.

But The Times understand Ibrahimovic has taken a £200,000-a-week pay cut to remain at Old Trafford, meaning he is earning just £125,000-a-week and £6.5m over the course of his 12-month contract.

Since returning to action, Ibrahimovic has come off the bench against Brighton and Hove Albion and Watford but he is yet to start a game as he looks to build up match fitness.