Manchester United will not stand in Zlatan Ibrahimovic's way if he wants to leave Old Trafford, manager Jose Mourinho has said.
The 36-year-old striker, who has missed the last six games after aggravating a knee injury, has been linked with MLS side the Los Angeles Galaxy.
Ibrahimovic signed a one-year contract extension last summer but has been limited to just seven appearances this term.
Mourinho said: “Zlatan is in last year of his contract. If if if – and he said nothing to me – but if if if that is true, and Zlatan wants a future in another club in another country, we are here to help and create conditions to help, not to make his life difficult.”
Mourinho insists, however, that the Swede has not expressed any desire to leave United to him.
Speaking at a press conference, the United boss said: “He told me nothing about it. First time I read something about this is from you, the media. I read from somewhere or saw on some TV channel.
“He never mentioned that to me so I don’t know. The last thing Zlatan told me was he wants to recover totally and help the team.
“He is working hard to be fit – I don’t say injured because he is not injured [now] – but he’s trying to be ready for the demands of Premier League football.”
Mourinho also expressed hope the club can agree a new contract with midfielder Marouane Fellaini.
The Belgian is in the final year of his present deal and there have been reports suggesting he wants to leave the club
Mourinho has previously appeared resigned to losing Fellaini, 30, at the end of the season but now appears more optimistic.
He said: “He’s a very important player for me, he’s a great professional who is giving everything he can to help the team.
“There is a desire from myself, the board and the player to stay together, that’s our objective. Are we going to agree? I don’t know. What I know is myself, the board and the player would like to have a happy end.
“I know he wants to stay with us, he knows I want him and the club wants him but then there is a paper to sign and you only sign the paper when you are happy with what is in the paper, so let’s see what happens.”
Mourinho signed his own contract extension last week, committing himself to the club until 2020.
The 55-year-old said: “The club wants he same as I want, it’s as simple as that. Owners, board – they have the same ambitions that I have, they have the same desire to improve at every level.
“We know stability is very important and we made the decision to sign the contract with this in mind. We believe in each other, we have common goals.”
