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Former Manchester United player Clayton Blackmore believes the Red Devils should try to re-sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Major League Soccer after a tough start to the season.

The Red Devils sit eighth after disappointing defeats to Crystal Palace and West Ham United so far this season, with former player Gary Neville explaining that up to five signings are needed over the coming windows for the club to challenge at the top again.

Blackmore is equally eager for United to recruit when the January transfer window rolls around but rather than keep up the trend of buying young British talent, the 55-year-old wants Ibrahimovic to return to Old Trafford.

The Swedish star featured for the Red Devils prominently during the 2016/17 season as he bagged 27 goals in 28 Premier League games under Jose Mourinho.

The 37-year-old has since netted 50 goals for LA Galaxy in the last two MLS seasons and Blackmore feels that the striker could still do a job for United in the Premier League.

“I definitely think we should ask Zlatan to come back, we need a target man - he’s the best target in the world," Blackmore posted on Twitter .

“6ft 5in black belt, he’s proved in the MLS he can still do it. I thought we let him go because his knee was dodgy - we’ve now given Zlatan and (Wayne) Rooney away for nothing. We won the Europa League, League Cup and Community Shield when he played for us.

“We need a target man so all our kids with pace can play off him (in a) 4-4-2 (system) and close down quicker. Here ends the lesson, it’s a no-brainer.”

Ibrahimovic's contract with the Galaxy expires on the final day of 2019.