Mino Raiola backs Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic to play well into his 40s

The 36-year-old is currently recovering from a knee injury he sustained in April

Samuel Lovett
Sunday 22 October 2017 07:29 EDT
Comments
The Swede could return to United's squad at the end of the year
The Swede could return to United's squad at the end of the year (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic has another “five or six years” left as a player, according to agent Mino Raiola.

The 36-year-old, who joined United two summers ago, is currently sidelined with a knee injury he sustained in April.

Manager Jose Mourinho is optimistic Ibrahimovic will return to the United squad by the end of the year, and Raiola has backed the forward to play well into his 40s despite this year’s injury setback.

“He has so much in him,” Raiola told Expressen. “I think minimum another five or six years. I won’t let him stop, he has to work for me now. I have been working for him for several years. Now it’s my turn. My children are grown up and I need money.

“We have agreed that he is only working for me for five years now. So we’re flipping it now. The salary comes to me and he gets the commission.”

Ibrahimovic is recovering well from a cruciate ligament injury in his knee, sustained during United's Europa League quarter-final clash with Anderlecht last season.

When asked about reports about experts wanting to study Ibrahimovic’s knee, Raiola replied: “Yes, they want to. (Ibrahimovic’s doctor) says so.

“He says he has never seen such a strong and pure knee after such a long career as Zlatan has. Imagine all the bangs.

“This is a professor who takes care of athletes from all over the world and works with an American football team. He says he has never seen anything like 40 years. It’s the best knee he has ever seen.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in