Zlatan Ibrahimovic could return to Manchester United as early as this week.This is according to ESPN, who have been told by sources close to United that Zlatan will sign a new contract with the Red Devils over the next few days.The 35-year-old was released earlier this summer, as he continued his rehabilitation from the serious knee ligament injury he sustained against Anderlecht back in April, but is on course to return to action much sooner than expected.It was initially feared that Zlatan would be sidelined until 2018 at the earliest, but the former Sweden international has stunned everybody after making a remarkably quick recovery from an injury that would have ended the careers of most players his age.Despite signing Romelu Lukaku in the summer, Jose Mourinho wants Ibrahimovic to return to United for the remainder of the 2017-18 campaign, not just because of what he delivers on the pitch but also because of his influence in the dressing room.

United fans snapped up 'Ibrahimovic 9' shirts last season

The deal also makes sense for United from a commercial point of view.

Shirts with his name on the back outsold any other player by at least two to one last season, according to ESPN.

It looks like Zlatan has a new number

However, any ’Ibrahimovic 9’ shirts spotted around Old Trafford this season will look out of date after United handed Zlatan’s old number to Lukaku.

It appears that Ibra has been handed a new number by the Red Devils - at least, that’s according to excited United fans who have posted screenshots from Adidas’ US website.

The screenshots show that fans can order ‘Ibrahimovic 10’ shirts.

Check it out…

United's iconic No. 7 shirt is still available

The number 10 shirt was, of course, vacated by Wayne Rooney earlier this summer after the England striker returned to Everton following 13 years at Old Trafford.

The club’s iconic number seven shirt remains vacant following Memphis Depay’s move to Lyon back in January, but it seems Zlatan will wear the No. 10 instead.