Zlatan Ibrahimovic will make a sensational return to the Manchester United squad to face Newcastle alongside Paul Pogba and Marcos Rojo, Jose Mourinho has confirmed.
The Swedish striker has not played for seven months since rupturing the cruciate ligament in his right knee against Anderlecht, and was expected to be out until December at the earliest.
However, after three days of training with the first team at Carrington, Mourinho revealed that Ibrahimovic will complete a remarkable recovery by returning on the bench against Newcastle.
Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has confirmed key players will return this weekend
Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes a sensational return ahead of schedule after training this week
The Swede has been out since April after he tore cruciate ligament against Anderlecht in April
‘Welcome back, of course,’ said Mourinho. ‘Incredible personality to fight such an important injury. We were all saying he will be back in 2017, but it’s one thing saying December 31 and another thing is mid-November. He was, as an injured player, the same super pro he is when he’s fit. So fantastic work.
‘Last season we played with Zlatan every minute almost until he was injured. This season we learn how to play without him, but he’s a very important player for us.
‘He has made a full recovery. Now you cannot expect him to play 90 minutes or consecutive matches like he did all his career. Now he needs time to be back for his level, his fitness, his confidence, everything. His sharpness, but from the clinical point of view it’s fantastic to be ready.’
Club-record signing Paul Pogba will also be included in the squad against the Magpies
Marcos Rojo returns to the first-team squad after turning out for the club’s U23s on Wednesday
Rojo also suffered a cruciate ligament injury in his left knee against Anderlecht, but returned to action with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves in midweek against Athletic Bilbao.
Pogba, meanwhile, has missed the last 12 games with a hamstring injury.
‘All three selected for the match,’ added Mourinho. ‘Marcos was an important injury too, a big surgery. He played with the young boys on Wednesday and is fine, is confident, is also ready.
‘Paul is obviously not the same dimension, was not a surgical situation but was also bad and all three are back.
‘You can clearly see Man United this season before Paul’s injury and after Paul’s injury. There are qualities in our football that influence our approach in matches, with Pogba and without Pogba, that’s as simple as that.’
United’s players, such as Daley Blind, drove into Carrington as United trained on Friday
Marouane Fellaini arrives to training and will hope to build on his recent return from injury
Anthony Martial arrived at training in a taxi and will hope to play a part this weekend
Mourinho insisted that Ibrahimovic can play alongside Romelu Lukaku, the £75million striker signed to replace him. He said: ‘It’s easy. Good players can play together. It’s easy to play together.’
Mourinho looked focused as he was driven into training on Friday morning ahead of the announcement of his team news for the visit of Newcastle to Old Trafford on Saturday evening.
The Portuguese’s side slipped eight points behind leaders Manchester City before the international break after a 1-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Red Devils, however, will be buoyed by the injury boosts and will hope it is a catalyst to string together some positive results.
United return to Premier League action on Saturday following the international break
Henrikh Mkhitaryan arrives at training ahead of Saturday’s Old Trafford clash
United youngster Scott McTominay drives his Mercedes into the AON training complex