Zlatan Ibrahimovic claims that he offered to play for Manchester United for nothing after returning from a serious knee injury last season.

The Sweden star scored 28 goals in his first campaign at Old Trafford, but it was cruelly cut short when he ruptured the cruciate ligament in his right knee during a Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht in April 2017.

Although Ibrahimovic returned ahead of schedule in November, he was not fully fit and made seven appearances before joining the LA Galaxy on a free transfer in March.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic offered to play for free at Man United after recovering from a knee injury

The 36-year-old scored twice in the final to help Manchester United win the EFL Cup in 2017

The 36-year-old striker revealed that he advised manager Jose Mourinho not to pick him, and even told United that he would play for free.

He had previously been the Premier League's highest-paid player on £367,640-a-week plus a goal bonus totalling £2.86million during his first season.

Ibrahimovic, who now earns £850,000-a-year at the Galaxy, told the BBC: 'The situation was not about having a contract and earning money - it was the opposite. I said, "I don't want a salary, you keep it".

'When I was ready, I said to myself, "I am not there". They had a Zlatan before. After, I was not ready to be that Zlatan. I was selected in many of the games but I told the coach: "Listen, I am not ready. I don't want to disappoint you.

'The respect I have for my teammates and the coach. Select someone else who can do the job better". I stood up and did it, even if I am Zlatan.'

Since joining LA Galaxy in March, Ibrahimovic has scored 11 times in 14 games in the MLS

Ibrahimovic admits that his career was in doubt after sustaining such a serious injury at the age of 35.

However, he has scored 11 goals in 14 games for the Galaxy in MLS, including a stunning double on his debut against rivals Los Angeles FC when he came off the bench to score from 35-yards and then headed a late winner.

'Every time I put on my football shoes, I am enjoying the moment because after the bad injury I had there were not many hopes I could play again,' he added.

The Swedish striker advised United boss Jose Mourinho not to pick him as he 'was not there'

'Wherever I came, people were doubting if I would do good or not. I like the whispers around saying "he will not make it, he will not do it". That's everyone's opinion. The first game for the Galaxy people were saying "how is your knee?". I said "I don't know, we will have to find out".

On his first goal for the Galaxy, Ibrahimovic said: 'I knew immediately, this is going in. You know when you get a good hit. When it went in, the whole stadium was crazy.

'I was feeling I was alive again after a long time doing this recovery. I could not describe the moment. All that eight months for that 20 minutes was worth it. I feel like a god, not like a lion.