Manchester United travel to Crystal Palace on Monday night as they look to reclaim second place from Liverpool in the Premier League.

Palace, who are currently 18th, have been struggling for form of late - they haven't won in five games - but Jose Mourinho will still urge caution at Selhurst Park.

Last season's encounter in south London saw United narrowly edge a 2-1 victory having taken the lead through Paul Pogba but conceded on the hour mark.

And the player who scored an 88th-minute winner that day? Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has gone missing since his last appearance against Burnley on Boxing Day.

Ibrahimovic hasn't appeared for the Red Devils in over two months now, raising concerns over his physical state and, in general, what the future holds for the 36-year-old.

Last April's ruptured cruciate ligament injury kept Zlatan out for seven months and it's safe to say his return hasn't gone as planned.

So what's going on? Is the Swede set for a return to United's squad or is a move to the MLS in the United States on the horizon?

Well, judging by Mourinho's latest update, Ibrahimovic isn't in a good place at the moment and his career has taken a rather sad turn.

Mourinho claims everyone at United thinks Ibrahimovic will leave the club this summer and perhaps even retire from football for good.

Moving to the MLS is an option for the legendary striker, but given his age and how last year's injury has impacted him, he isn't the player he used to be.

It would be dreadfully sad to see Ibrahimovic end his career as a result of injury, but it's now a real possibility by the sounds of it.

"For Zlatan we all think it's his last season at Manchester United and will be a very personal decision for him to play or to stop," said Mourinho last week.

"I think he won the right of choosing his life, his future.

"He is such an amazing player and had an amazing career that only that awful injury in the wrong moment broke a fantastic couple of seasons he could and should have with us.

"This season has been really difficult for him. Is he injured? No. Does he feel totally happy, ready and convinced that he's in condition to help the team in this moment? No.

"But he's such an honest guy and such a champion he only wants to get back with that feeling of, 'I'm totally ready for it'.

"So he's working hard and hopefully his evolution brings him to that level he and brings him the positive answer he wants."