Man United player not injured, just frozen out – Mutu

Matt Stead

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not injured, but has a “cold relationship” with Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

Ibrahimovic has featured just seven times in all competitions this season after signing a new one-year deal with United in the summer.

The striker made his return from a long-term knee injury in November, but has started just two games all season: the draw with Burnley, and the defeat to Bristol City.

He has not played since the Burnley draw on Boxing Day, and reportedly suffered a setback in training as he closed in on full fitness.

United expressed fears that he ‘may never be the same player’ again in December, while Mourinho admitted this would almost certainly be his last season at Old Trafford.

The Portuguese also conceded that the player was “not injured”, and former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu says their “cold relationship” is the reason for his recent omission.

“I have information that Ibrahimovic is not injured; he has ‘cooled’ with Mourinho,” he told Telekom Sport.