It really has been a difficult start to the season for Manchester United.

When relegation-threatened Newcastle smashed home their second goal at Old Trafford before the international break, the gloom descended and Jose Mourinho was possibly hours away from the sack.

However, the Red Devils showed real grit to turn it around with Alexis Sanchez’s last-gasp winner sparing Mourinho’s blushes while allowing the Portuguese some breathing space.

United have come in for a lot of criticism of late with many experts believing that some of their players have simply downed tools in an effort to get Mourinho fired.

Paul Pogba hasn’t come anywhere near replicating his brilliant World Cup form while questions remain over the likes of Anthony Martial, Romelu Lukaku and the above-mentioned Sanchez.

Lukaku especially has been a real point of contention for United fans who feel the big Belgian is just too sluggish and clumsy to effectively lead the line.

After a never-ending string of deadly strikers, it is no surprise that the Old Trafford faithful keep very high standards for their goalscorers.

One man who easily met those expectations was Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose United career was cut short by a dreadful knee injury.

However, there is no denying that the giant Swede shared a special relationship with the fans and his finishing ability was a big part of that.

Sadly, injury curtailed his chances of really kicking on in Manchester, and he eventually decided a move to America was his best option.

Since his move to the MLS Ibrahimovic has thrived, and United fans can only look jealously across the Atlantic at what they’re missing out on.

In fact, Ibrahimovic’s fine performances for LA Galaxy have led to plenty of rumours that he could make a stunning return to United on loan in January.

Zlatan has even been forced to address those rumours in a recent interview with Sky Sports, but it might not be the news United fans wanted to hear.

“I think I’m in a situation where I need to have a good balance between work and rest,” Ibrahimovic told Sky Sports.

“Because I came back from injury and because of my age and the load I’m putting in during training.

“It’s not what I have been thinking about because we still have two games, hopefully we make the play-offs.”

If he were to make a return to England, he would do so during the MLS offseason and, at 37 years of age, you can hardly blame him for wanting a break.

“Any more on that I don’t know what to say because I haven’t focused on that, I haven’t put any thought on it.”

It really would be wonderful to see the enigmatic Swede back on English shores but it sadly looks unlikely after those comments.

Looks like Lukaku will have step it up on his own as United mount a challenge for the top four.