Jose Mourinho confirmed that Manchester United will exercise their option to extend Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s contract for a second season.
Ibrahimovic joined United on a free transfer from Paris St Germain in the summer on a one-year-old deal with the option of a further 12 months.
And despite reports linking the Sweden international with a move to the United States, Mourinho, speaking on the eve of his side’s crucial UEFA Europa League clash with Feyenoord, said he wants him to stay at Old Trafford.
Mourinho said: “Zlatan’s situation is simple – he has one plus one year at the club and we are happy with him and we are going to execute the option of a second season.
“He is happy, he’s committed and he is loving his life as a football player at Manchester United and this is probably the last big challenge of his wonderful career.
“I think it is perfect for him to be here for 18 months more, and then he owns the decision about his future.”
The 35-year-old stressed negotiations have yet to be concluded but suggested the extension of his Old Trafford contract is a mere formality.
Ibrahimovic said: “For the moment we haven’t had any discussions. I have a contract that says one plus one years. I feel fresh, I feel in shape and physically if I feel like now, probably it will be a second year.
“I want to be realistic with myself – I want to be able to perform like I can do and not waste time. Now it is probably a yes, but I need discussions.”
Meanwhile, Mourinho suggested he could be willing to extend his own contract beyond its existing three years, stressing the need for patience as he seeks to transform United back into the Premier League’s dominant force.
“I am in the beginning of my contract and the beginning of the process, so let’s go step by step,” he said.
“If you ask me, would I like to be successful in these three years and to stay here for more time than the three years, then yes I would, because I’m in the club and the league I want to be in, so yes I’d love it. But I also have to deserve it, so let’s see the evolution of my results.
United go into tonight’s game with qualification for the Europa League knockout stages hanging in the balance.
Mourinho is set to give Henrikh Mkhitaryan a rare chance to impress, while Luke Shaw is also ready to return for the first time since Mourinho questioned the full-back’s apparent unwillingness to play through the pain barrier at Swansea a fortnight ago.
Mourinho added: “It’s simple - we need four points to qualify and it doesn’t matter what happens in the matches where we are not involved.”
