Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United striker not offered new contract
Last updated on .From the section Football
Manchester United have not offered striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new contract and the Swede has been released by the club.
The 35-year-old agreed a one-year contract, with an option for second season, last summer.
But the extension had not been triggered by the time the Swede suffered his season-ending knee ligament injury in April.
The Premier League's retained list was released on Friday.
Former England defender John Terry will be among the high-profile free agents available this summer, following his exit from Chelsea, while Manchester City have already confirmed goalkeeper Willy Caballero, winger Jesus Navas and full-backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna are to be released.
Midfielder Joey Barton is also looking for a new club after his release from Burnley, although he is serving an 18-month ban for betting offences.
Ibrahimovic made 46 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 28 goals, and helped Jose Mourinho's team lift the Community Shield, the League Cup and the Europa League trophy.
Analysis
BBC Sport's Simon Stone
Zlatan Ibrahimovic will complete his rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament surgery at Manchester United's Carrington training complex.
The Swede is out of contract on 30 June and there was no mention of another deal being offered when Ibrahimovic's name appeared on the Premier League released list on Friday afternoon.
That only proved nothing had been offered by 29 May, but it is understood there has been no change to that situation.
However, the fact Ibrahimovic will remain in Manchester to recover from an injury sustained in April and which is not likely to see him play again in 2018, indicates a new United contract is a possibility.
No guarantees have been made by the club though and evidently the extent of the forward's recovery and United's form in the first part of the 2017-18 campaign will be decisive.
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I wish him all the best
Now Man Utd need to buy a new main striker as a top priority - Rooney is well past it and Rashford needs more time to develop.
Hey, lay off Jesse Lingard. It takes time and patience to develop your own players...which is probably why Manchester City doesn't bother.
Just now
As ludicrous a decision as letting Hernandez go, a guaranteed goal-scorer. Proof Jose is completely mental"
It was LVG that let Hernandez go
Doesn't make a lot of sense to sign someone up for one season (on that kind of money), knowing that they'll miss more-or-less half of it.
Great player and I'm so glad he stopped by for a season at Old Trafford.
Dalgliesh - sacked
Gerrard - Shipped off early
Shankly - Locked out and sent to Everton in old age.
Not even the biggest club in manchester??? City have 12 titles lol even villa have more titles than them, and with fraudiola in charge they will still be on 12 at the end of next season. Do us all a favour and come back when you have something decent to say
On topic, keeping him is daft with his injury. Kinda a shame but he was 35.
However America seems like the most likely destination now as he should be back from injury in time for their season starting.
Man utd will miss him.
If/when he is fit again a new deal could be negotiated, wth United, or any other club for that matter.
It's all very straightforward.
We had good use out of him now its time to move on