Zlatan Ibrahimovic will hold talks with Manchester United about his future this summer with the Swedish striker keen to stay at Old Trafford, despite the possibility of not playing again this year.

Ibrahimovic is facing up to nine months out after rupturing the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during United’s Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht in April and his contract with the club is due to expire on June 30.

But United, who have an option to extend Ibrahimovic’s deal by another 12 months, have not ruled out retaining his services and have been heartened by the encouraging early signs in his recovery.

It is understood that Dr Freddie H Fu, the Pittsburgh-based surgeon who carried out the operation on Ibrahimovic’s knee in the US, felt the 35-year-old’s knee was almost worthy of being used as a case study it was in such good condition for a player of his age and one with more than 700 top-flight games to his name.

The main tendons in Ibrahimovic’s right knee are believed to have measured around three times the normal size in what was described as a marked reflection of the player’s impressive strength, fitness and the efforts he has gone to take care of himself.