Mino Raiola delivered the news every football fan was hoping to hear after confirming Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee injury isn’t career-ending.
"Zlatan Ibrahimovic has undergone successful knee surgery. He will make a full recovery and has not suffered a career-ending injury," Raiola said in a statement, per the Manchester Evening News.
"The procedure was performed by Freddie Fu, M.D., and Volker Musahl, M.D., of the UPMC Sports Medicine programme in Pittsburgh.
"Zlatan has started rehabilitation at UPMC and will remain under the care of Dr.Fu and Dr.Musahl throughout his recovery.”
Brilliant. Although Ibrahimovic’s Manchester United career appears to be over, it’s nice to know that this isn’t the last we’ve seen of the Swede.
Ibra suffered serious damage to his anterior cruciate ligament in United’s 2-1 win over Anderlecht last month.
The Manchester Evening News report that Jose Mourinho is prepared to offer the 35-year-old a contract extension out of loyalty, but Ibrahimovic’s pride will see him reject it.
He's been brilliant this season
The former Paris Saint-Germain star has been a revelation in England, scoring 28 goals in all competitions and being nominated for the PFA Player of the Year award.
So it will be a shame to see him leave in such unfortunate circumstances.
Ibrahimovic posted Instagram update
Ibrahimovic shared an update on Instagram on Tuesday, posting an image of his hospitals tags and adding an uplifting caption.
“Fixed, done and stronger,” he wrote. “Once again thank you for the support. We will enjoy my game together soon.”
So, confirmation that Ibra will return to football.
Ibra's next move
It is thought the striker’s rehabilitation will last nine months, meaning he won’t play again until 2018.
As for his next destination, the United States is rumoured to be a potential target.
He has been linked with a move to LA Galaxy, but the Daily Mail reported last week that the MLS side had turned their attentions to signing French striker Andre Pierre Gignac as a result of Ibrahimovic’s serious injury.
If he does leave United, whichever club signs Zlatan will be getting a player determined to prove that his injury is nothing more than a minor setback.