With Zlatan Ibrahimovic closing in on a long-awaited return to Manchester United, it's become a wonder how he will slot back into Jose Mourinho's side.

It's been seven months since the Swede ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) against Anderlecht, in which time Romelu Lukaku has arrived at Old Trafford.

Lukaku inherited the No.9 jersey upon his big-money move from Everton and he's now United's undisputed first-choice striker.

So where does that leave Ibrahimovic? Well, the 36-year-old has hinted he could be the perfect No.10 and slot in behind Lukaku.

"To me, No.10 is the star," said Ibrahimovic, per the Telegraph. "The one who makes the difference, gets noticed, wins the matches and is the leader.

"And I see myself in that position but it is not something that is given to you, it is just something you are, that’s just the way it is. I feel like a ten and I stand for No.10."

Ibrahimovic won't settle for a place on the bench when he returns to United, giving Mourinho quite the dilemma.

Whether it's alongside Lukaku upfront or behind him as the No.10, Mourinho will need to make room for the legendary striker by dropping one of his players.

Who that will be remains to be seen, but no one is safe.

In the same interview, Ibra made his intentions clear that he wants to resume his role as United's star man and even claimed there should always be one condition in every contract he signs.

According to Ibrahimovic, whenever he signs for a new club, he expects to be automatically given the No.10 shirt.

"No one says 'No.10 is available'," added the Swede. "In my case, when I join a new team, I get No.10 because I feel like a No.10.

"When I come to a club, it should be in the contract that I will have No 10.

"At United it was Rooney, he's a legend and someone I respect. But now he has changed clubs."

There are no guarantees Ibrahimovic will be the same player when he returns given his length of absence, but clearly nothing has changed about his ego.

If anyone can live up to the pressure of being No.10, though, it's the self-proclaimed God of Manchester.