Chris Smalling has called on Zlatan Ibrahimovic to remain at Manchester United next season.

Ibrahimovic, 35, has been in impressive form since arriving at United on a free transfer last summer, scoring 23 goals in 35 appearances for the club in all competitions.

The former Sweden international has the option of a second year in his contract, with United manager Jose Mourinho saying in November that the club will extend his stay, though nothing has been made official as of yet.

"I would definitely like to see Zlatan stay here," Smalling is quoted as saying by the Daily Mirror. "Because you can see how he has performed this year and the goals he has scored. If we can keep a player like that for as long as we can then all the players would be very happy with that.

"I'm not sure how long he can go on but I don't think age is a factor with him whatsoever. He has played as many games as anyone in the squad and contributed as well. It is down to how long he wants to go on.

"When you have a focal point like him he just wants to score goals. Even in the last couple of games when maybe we have not been playing as well as we have done, when you can score goals and rely on people like that it's brilliant."