OLD TRAFFORD chiefs fear Zlatan Ibrahimovic may never be the same player following his horror knee KO.
Ibra has worked hard to get back just seven months after the career-threatening injury suffered in the Europa League quarter-final win over Anderlecht.
But the Swede, 36, has looked a shadow of the player who was United’s top scorer last season with 28 goals from 46 appearances.
The veteran striker returned to action on November 18 as a sub in the 4-1 home win over Newcastle.
He has made five appearances off the bench in all, totalling 73 minutes, without finding the net.
And he made no impression when he was sent on to try and grab a point in last Sunday’s 2-1 derby defeat to City. Ibra — an unused sub when United laboured to a 1-0 win over Bournemouth two days ago — has already defied medical experts to get back to this point.
But recovering full match-fitness after such a bad injury is proving another thing and there are concerns at Carrington, where his full rehabilitation is monitored. Boss Jose Mourinho has already had to take him out the squad for two games since his return so he can return to the gym to try and build up the strength around the knee.
But his problems, coupled with Romelu Lukaku’s lack of confidence in front of goal, could see Mourinho dipping into the transfer market for a striker in January. Lukaku headed the winner against the Cherries — but the £75million hitman has two goals in the last ten Prem games and has not looked the same player that started with 11 goals in his first nine United appearances.
Meanwhile, Mourinho has been asked by the FA to clarify comments made before last weekend's derby.
The Special One suggested that City's players were divers and also questioned Pep Guardiola wearing a Catalan independence symbol.
Mourinho has until 6pm next Monday to give his response.
From The Sun
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