Zlatan Ibrahimovic posted a defiant message on Instagram earlier today after suffering cruciate knee ligament damage against Anderlecht last week.The Swede has been ruled out for at least nine months and will reportedly travel to America for career-saving treatment.But he remains positive and insisted that, despite his age, he will come back stronger than ever."First of all, thank you for all the support and love," he wrote (see below). "It's no news I got injured so I will be out of football for a while."I will go through this like everything else and come back even stronger. So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem."One thing is for sure, I decide when it's time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon."

IBRAHIMOVIC IS A FIGHTER

Ibrahimovic's Manchester United career appears to be over after the Mirror reported they will withdraw the option to a one-year extension in his contract.

What the future holds for the 35-year-old is unclear as a result, but what's certain is that fans, players and the media alike all want him to make a speedy recovery.

He's received some messages from unexpected sources over the past 24 hours, with Chelsea's Kurt Zouma - who suffered a similar injury last year - sending his wishes.

"Get well soon @Ibra_official," the Frenchman posted on Twitter. "I know the feeling you have now as you know it happened the same to me, but you're strong!"

Zouma's teammate, Michy Batshuayi, is another to have sent Ibrahimovic a lovely message, only there's something special about his tribute.

Alongside some kind words and the hashtag #NoMatterTheColour, the Belgian posted a picture of himself holding Ibrahimovic's No.9 United shirt. Check it out.

He wrote: "#NoMatterTheColor 🔵🔴 wishing @Ibra_official a speedy and perfect recovery. Knowing the guy, it should be a child's play 👊💪 #ZlatanFact."

Class, but very brave from Batshuayi, who potentially risks the wrath of Chelsea fans by posing with a United shirt that has Ibrahimovic on the back.