Manchester United star Juan Mata hopes Old Trafford club sign Zlatan Ibrahimović

Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata hopes the Old Trafford club sign Zlatan Ibrahimović this summer. The 34-year-old striker is out of contract at Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) at the end of the season and Mata would relish the chance to play alongside him.

Mata hailed Ibrahimović as the best Swedish player in history and revealed he would like to see him sign for United. "Obviously, he is a very good player and I like to play with very good players. I don't decide that – he decides that and the club decides that. Obviously I think every player would be happy to play with him," Mata told Sky Sports.

Ibrahimović has won league titles in Holland, Italy, Spain and France, but Mata thinks the outspoken Swede may be tempted to try a new challenge in his career in England, having never previously played in the Premier League. Ibrahimović is available on a free transfer and the United star thinks he would be a great addition for the Old Trafford club.

"I don't know what he is going to do," said Mata, who joined United in 2014. "I don't know if he has finished his contract or not at the end of this season with PSG, and if he is going to stay there or not. Maybe he tries a new chapter in his long career."

Pressed on rumours linking Ibrahimović to United, Mata added: "He is probably the best in the history of Sweden, if we talk about football and what he represents. He was in so many countries and so many different leagues, and he was winning trophies everywhere.

"So that speaks about his quality as a player, and his importance right now in PSG and in the national team. He is the captain."