Football
Rob Dawson, Correspondent 7y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic's Man United exit confirmed by Premier League

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been released by Manchester United, according to the Premier League, after the striker's lone season in England was cut short by a serious knee injury.

The 35-year-old, who is out of contract this summer, was not on United's list of retained players when it was published on Friday. Clubs were required to notify the Premier League by May 29 about which players they were keeping, and which they would be letting go.

The former Sweden international now looks set to officially leave Old Trafford when his current one-year deal expires on June 30.

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals in 46 games last season following his free transfer from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, but the knee ligament injury suffered against Anderlecht in April threw his long-term future into doubt.

And with no prospect of the striker playing again until January at the earliest, United have decided against triggering an option to keep the ex-Barcelona and Juventus man for another year.

Ibrahimovic accepted an offer to complete his rehabilitation at the club, and though he could still re-sign a new short-term contract with United when fit, sources told ESPN FC there are no current plans to do.

Jose Mourinho is already trying to sign a replacement for last season's top scorer -- cooling his interest in Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann in favour of pursing out-and-out strikers Alvaro Morata at Real Madrid and Andrea Belotti at Torino.

Romelu Lukaku is expected to join Chelsea if they can agree a fee with Everton after Diego Costa revealed he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Morata, who scored 20 goals in 43 games at the Bernabeu last season, is seen as Mourinho's preferred choice. And there were reports in Spain on Friday that he has told the Champions League holders he wants to leave this summer.

United are still trying to negotiate a fee for the 24-year-old, who could cost as much as £60 million just 12 months after Real Madrid triggered a £26.3m buy-back option to re-sign the Spaniard from Juventus.

Ibrahimovic's agent, Mino Raiola, has insisted his client wants to stay in Europe, although he has been linked with the LA Galaxy. He should be fit to start the 2018 MLS campaign -- when a second Los Angeles club will begin play -- if his recovery from knee surgery continues to go smoothly.

Among those receiving offers to remain at Old Trafford next season are Josh Harrop -- who scored on his senior debut against Crystal Palace on the final day of the season -- U.S. youth international Matthew Olosunde and Matty Willock.

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