Zlat-Back

Manchester United hope Zlatan Ibrahimovic will return to first-team action before end of month.

The Swedish legend has been sidelined with a knee problem since United’s Boxing Day draw at home to Burnley.

The red devils decided not to rush him back to let him work on his core fitness in the gym.

The 36-year-old has stepped up his progress in the last few days, and is running with no issues.

He is now expected to start ball work at Uniteds Carrington training complex towards the end of this week.

An Old Trafford source said: “Zlatan is making good progress and he could be back by the end of February.