Zlatan Ibrahimovic relaxes in St Tropez as he continues recovery ahead of potential Manchester United return

  • Zlatan Ibrahimovic enjoyed short boat trip in St Tropez on Monday
  • Manchester United have opened talks with the forward about a return
  • Ibrahimovic is currently sidelined after injuring his cruciate ligament last season

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has continued to enjoy the summer with a holiday in St Tropez. 

The striker, currently sidelined with a cruciate ligament injury picked up in May, was spotted leaving Pampelonne beach after having lunch at the Bagatelle restaurant. 

Ibrahimovic, who is in talks with Manchester United over a dramatic return to Old Trafford in 2018, relaxed in a boat and appeared in a good mood as he continues recovery.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is enjoying a break in St Tropez as he continues his recovery from injury

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is enjoying a break in St Tropez as he continues his recovery from injury

Ibrahimovic was pictured leaving Pampelonne beach after having lunch at a local restaurant

Ibrahimovic was pictured leaving Pampelonne beach after having lunch at a local restaurant

Ibrahimovic relaxed in a boat on the water and appeared in a good mood on Wednesday

Ibrahimovic relaxed in a boat on the water and appeared in a good mood on Wednesday

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus attacker points during the boat ride

The former Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus attacker points during the boat ride

Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho has hinted in recent weeks at a possible comeback for Ibrahimovic in January, and confirmed on the eve of the new season that discussions have begun with the player and his agent Mino Raiola.


'It was very clear by showing what he did, last year was not enough for him,' said Mourinho, ahead of Sunday's opening game at home to West Ham.

'He wants more football at the highest level, so we are having conversations and discussing the possibility of him staying for the second part of the season.

'He is injured and he needs time to recover. He is not ready to play tomorrow. It's not something that's urgent, it's not desperate to have it done or not.' 

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho  admitted that the club and Ibrahimovic are in talks

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admitted that the club and Ibrahimovic are in talks

Ibrahimovic was an instant hit at Old Trafford last season after joining United on a free transfer

Ibrahimovic was an instant hit at Old Trafford last season after joining United on a free transfer

The Swedish striker bagged an impressive 28 goals, including 17 in 28 Premier League games

The Swedish striker bagged an impressive 28 goals, including 17 in 28 Premier League games

But his debut United season was cut short by a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in April

But his debut United season was cut short by a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered in April

United still believe there is a place in the squad for Ibrahimovic, who scored 28 goals in all competitions before suffering the serious knee injury in the Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht.

They have allowed the Swedish star to continue his rehabilitation at Carrington beyond the end of his contract on June 30 and been impressed by his rate of recovery. 

The club's medical staff will continue to monitor his progress before any new contract offer is made to a player who was the Premier League's highest-paid player on £367,000-a-week last season.

AC Milan are also interested in signing Ibrahimovic who has rejected offers to wind down his career in Major League Soccer and China.

But it's understood that the striker believes he has unfinished business at United and has been encouraged by the club's goodwill towards him.