• Manchester United would not stand in striker’s way, says manager • ‘Zlatan has never mentioned this possibility to me’

Manchester United would not stand in Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s way if he wishes to join a club in the United States before the end of the season, though José Mourinho says the player has not given any indication of being unhappy at Old Trafford.

“I only know what I have read in the media,” Mourinho said. “Zlatan has never mentioned this possibility to me but he is in the last year of his contract and, if he wants to move to another club or another country, we will try to help him. We will not make his life difficult.”

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The 36-year-old Swede scored 28 goals for United last season and is trying to return to full fitness after his initial comeback from a knee injury went awry.

“He is working hard to be fit,” Mourinho said. “I don’t say he is injured because he is not injured but he’s trying to be ready for the demands of Premier League football.” Though the transfer window shuts in England on Wednesday, Ibrahimovic could still leave for the US at any point between February and May.

United are still in contract talks with Marouane Fellaini, with Mourinho sounding more hopeful of keeping the Belgian midfielder than he did at the start of the month.

“He’s a very important player who is giving everything he can to help the team,” the United manager said. “There is a desire from myself, the board and the player to stay together. That’s our objective. I don’t know what will happen. What I know is myself, the board and the player would like to have a happy end.

“I know he wants to stay with us and he knows the club wants him but then there is a paper to sign and you only sign the paper when you are happy with what it says.”