Ibrahimovic has already spurned a hugely-lucrative offer to join the Chinese Super League, and LA Galaxy have also been keen to sign the 34-year-old, but he would prefer to move to the MLS after playing at least one season in England and United are prepared to meet his wage demands.

The Swede is believed to have been asking for a salary equivalent to the £300,000-a-week after-tax deal he earned at PSG. Mourinho will target a centre-half, at least one central midfielder, a fast, right-sided forward and a striker.

United retain an interest in Sadio Mane, the Southampton forward for whom they had a £20 million bid rejected last summer. Mourinho is also keen to entice John Stones to Old Trafford, having tried and failed to sign the England centre-half from Everton when in charge at Chelsea last summer, although United face stiff competition from the Portuguese’s former club and Manchester City.