Manchester United transfer news: Roy Keane urges Red Devils to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a 'one-year' deal

Roy Keane has urged Manchester United to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic to add a bit of character to the side which has struggled in recent seasons to mount a credible title challenge. They have also missed out on qualifying for the Champions League twice in three seasons, which led to the sacking of Louis van Gaal at the end of the recently concluded campaign.

Jose Mourinho has been appointed the new manager of the 20-times English champions and he is likely to oversee a squad overhaul as he looks to bring them back to winning ways. The Red Devils have been heavily linked with a move for the former Paris Saint-Germain forward and his comments regarding his close relationship with the Portuguese boss fuelled speculation regarding his imminent arrival at Old Trafford on a short-term deal.

The Sweden international has had a record-breaking season with the Ligue 1 club, scoring 50 goals in 51 appearances in all competitions and will be hot property during the summer transfer window with a number of clubs across the globe vying for his services. Keane believes Ibrahimovic will be a good signing on a "one-year deal" and is confident that he can make an impact to the team following their poor spell in recent seasons.

"I think he would be a good signing on a one-year deal," Keane said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"He is a big player, a big character. I have said that United have been lacking a few characters and he would be a good fit there," the Red Devils legend added.

United were touted as the favourites to sign him following his interview while on international duty, but his agent Mino Raiola has refuted the speculation and admitted that the Swedish forward's future destination could be a surprise as he has offers from club across Europe and abroad. It is understood, according to the Guardian that the striker will move to a club that can meet his wage demands, said to be around €15m (£11.4m, $17m).

According to the Sun, Ibrahimovic could snub a move to one of the big clubs in Europe to move to his boyhood club Malmo, after the former Barcelona and Inter Milan forward asked fans to wait for his return during a training session with Sweden ahead of their Euro 2016 campaign.