Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has warned returning striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic that he will have to fight for his place in the squad when he returns from injury.
The 35-year-old, who saw his season ended with a knee injury against Celta Vigo in April, signed a new one-year-deal at Old Trafford in the week having previously been released in June.
The Swede was Mourinho’s top scorer in his first season in Manchester, but the former Chelsea boss has since signed Romelu Lukaku from Everton and is warning that if Zlatan cannot prove himself then he won’t be in the team.
"Zlatan knows me,” said Mourinho.
“He knows that I play the players that I think are the best for the team. I always did it.
"So if he comes here and he proves he is the best, he plays. If the other ones don't give him a chance to prove that, that's life."
Since arriving at Old Trafford, Lukaku has three goals in two Premier League games and has dovetailed well with Mourinho’s other attacking options, meaning it will be no easy feat for Ibrahimovic to walk back into the side.
Also among United's current forward options is 19-year-old England international Marcus Rashford.
When asked if Ibrahimovic’s new deal would affect Rashford’s progression this season Mourinho replied quickly: "No, no, no, nobody should be worried."
Additional reporting by the Press Asssociation.
