Maybe, in hindsight, Manchester United should have decided against renewing Zlatan Ibrahimovic's contract at the club.

They could have called it quits after a superb season for the Swede, provided a base for him tor recover from his ACL injury and parted ways.

If nothing else, it would have been a cleaner conclusion to what has been a sad campaign for a legendary player who is still getting over an injury that took place nearly a year ago. It looks almost certain he will leave in the summer and after a season that has reaped just seven appearances.

Those outings came over the winter months, and featured a goal against Bristol City, yet he soon had to dip out of the first-team once again due to continued fitness issues.

He hasn't appeared since the draw with Burnley in December as Jose Mourinho pulled him off at half-time and hasn't reintroduced him since.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic plots return to the United team

Nevertheless, the man himself has reiterated that he will strive for that fairytale ending before the end of the season and break back into the United fold.

When asked whether he'll pull on the famous red jersey again, he answered: "I want to get to the point where I can perform as I haven't been able to take part so much during the season."

Adrian Mutu's 'inside information' on Ibrahimovic and Mourinho

Very interesting and ultimately positive at heart. Nevertheless, that isn't the view point of Adrian Mutu who played under Mourinho during a tumultuous spell at Chelsea that culminated in the most expensive fine for a player in FIFA history.

And not only has the eccentric Romania taken another shot at the Special One, but he's claimed to have inside information on Ibrahimovic that is nothing short of scandalous.

Speaking to Telekom Sport Romania, he explained: "I do not care about Mourinho.

"Mourinho doesn't care about the performance, only the result. I have the information that Ibrahimovic is not injured, he's just cold with Mourinho right now."

Well then.

So, in the world of Mutu, the reason for Ibrahimovic's absence from United team isn't actually fitness but a surreptitious feud between player and manager. We can't fault the ex-Juventus striker for boldness in his claim, that's for sure.

Ibrahimovic has always waxed lyrical about Mourinho across their time together at Inter Milan and Old Trafford, so it seems unlikely the pair have genuinely fallen out.

It seems that, sadly, the Swede has simply fallen off the pace after such a major injury and that time should be taken before orchestrating his return.

We can only hope there is a suitable conclusion to Ibrahimovic's cameo in the Premier League.

Do you think United should have renewed Ibrahimovic's contract? Have your say in the comments section below.