Many feared for Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career was over after he damaged knee ligaments during Manchester United’s Europa League clash against Anderlecht in April.The Swede was expected to be ruled out for around eight months after having surgery in May, meaning United decided not to offer him an additional year at Old Trafford. After all, the striker *should* have been sidelined until 2018.But this is Ibrahimovic we’re talking about and he simply wasn’t going to sit around waiting for his knee to heal.And four months after picking up his horrific injury, he has confounded medics to fully recover. So much so, that he has signed a new one-year deal with the Red Devils.

The news was confirmed by numerous journalists - and United themselves - on Thursday afternoon but it was Zlatan’s announcement of the deal that went viral.

He posted: “I UNITED it @ManUtd,” with an image of him in an arm wrestle with the devil posing as Jesus.

The tweet was published at 3:10pm and has already been retweeted more than 20,000 times.

And, according to The Sun, the 35-year-old has already targeted the match against Tottenham on October 28.

Zlatan on his return

Zlatan told the club’s official website: "I am back to finish what I started. It was always mine and the club's intention for me to stay. I cannot wait to get back out on that Old Trafford pitch, but I also know that I have to take my time to make sure that I am ready. I have been working hard and will continue to do so to make sure I am in the best possible condition for my return to the pitch."

Mourinho on Zlatan

Jose Mourinho added: "We are delighted Zlatan is on the road to recovery and we are equally delighted to have his ambition and experience back with us. After his contribution last season he deserves our trust and we will be patient waiting for him to return. I have no doubt that he will be important in the second part of the season."