It was a wildly successful season for Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Manchester United, scoring 28 all-competitions goals, helping the team win the League Cup, and helping set the team up for their Europa League title as well. He wasn’t part of that ultimate victory thanks to a serious knee injury in April, however, and the long rehab he still faces meant that Manchester elected to release him instead of renewing his contract.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic departs Manchester United
Injuries kept Zlatan’s successful time at Old Trafford from going any longer.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
Now 35 years old and coming off the first truly serious injury of his career, many people wonder what’s next for Zlatan. He’s accomplished basically everything he’s wanted to do in his career — sadly, a World Cup or Euros win for Sweden was always a long shot — and there’s little else for him to do or places to play in that he hasn’t already conquered.
There will be interest in Zlatan, of course — he’s too talented for teams not to want him — but few clubs can afford his wages, and none of those clubs will want to sign him until they’re sure he’s healthy again. It looks like one of the greatest strikers in recent history is going to have to spend some time in limbo while he gets healthy — and then we’ll all get to find out just what he has in mind for the future.
Goal of the Day
Christian Pulisic’s brace that won the USMNT three crucial World Cup qualifying points.
Get hyped for the Confederations Cup
In the news
Check out the full list of released players in the Premier League. (PremierLeague.com)
Garry Monk has been appointed the new manager of Middlesbrough. (Guardian)
Hull City have appointed former Russian national team boss Leonid Slutsky as their new manager. (BBC)
Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has dismissed rumors of him joining Chelsea. (ESPNFC)
Alvaro Morata has apparently told Real Madrid that he intends to leave the club. (MARCA)
You should be reading
Take a look back at the incredible impact Ibrahimovic has made throughout his career. (ESPNFC)
Jonathan Wilson makes the case for Sead Kolasinac being an important addition to Arsenal’s defense. (Guardian)
What happened on Thursday
The United States beat Trinidad and Tobago 2-0 on a Christian Pulisic brace.
Mexico earned three easy points against Honduras in a 3-0 win. (FMF State of Mind)
What to watch on Friday (click for listings, all times ET)
World Cup Qualifying: Sweden vs. France (2:45 p.m.)
World Cup Qualifying: Latvia vs. Portugal (2:45 p.m.)
World Cup Qualifying: Estonia vs. Belgium (2:45 p.m.)
Special Sunday Bonus: Mexico vs. United States (Sunday, 8:30 p.m.)
