Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to rejoin Manchester United (Picture: Getty)

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is expected to seal a stunning return to Manchester United this week and Adidas have fueled rumours he’s set to take the No.10 shirt.

The Swede was released from his contract in July after tearing his anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments after a nasty fall against Anderlecht in the Europa League in April.

Ibrahimovic had been expected to sign a new one-year deal after scoring 28 goals during a scintillating debut campaign with the Red Devils, but United moved for Romelu Lukaku following the 36-year-old’s injury.

To avoid any awkwardness, Lukaku revealed he spoke to Ibrahimovic about taking the Swede’s No.9 shirt upon his arrival at Old Trafford.

‘Strikers play with No.9,’ he said. ‘It’s a nice number, and I asked the permission of Zlatan Ibrahimovic. I want to thank him, as well, for allowing me to wear that number.’

But with Ibrahimovic about to return to Old Trafford, he will need a new number and Adidas have hinted he will take the No.10 shirt after they started selling the replicas on their US website.

Ibrahimovic ’10’ comes up as an option on Adidas’ website, along with new signings Victor Lindelof, Nemanja Matic and Romelu Lukaku.

Wayne Rooney wore United’s No.10 shirt for ten years before completing a return to Everton in the summer and it’s been worn by legends like Ruud van Nistelrooy and Bobby Charlton in the past.

Ibrahimovic is expected to sign a season-long deal with the club and it could be formalised this week in order for him to be included in the side’s Champions League squad.

The Swedish forward has shown remarkable signs of a recovery in recent weeks and could be fit by December.

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