Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United striker not offered new contract

Zlatan Ibrahimovic missed the last 10 matches of the season with a knee injury

Manchester United have not offered striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic a new contract and the Swede has been released by the club.

The 35-year-old agreed a one-year contract, with an option for second season, last summer.

But the extension had not been triggered by the time the Swede suffered his season-ending knee ligament injury in April.

The Premier League's retained list was released on Friday.

• Read the full retained and released list for all 20 Premier League teams

Former England defender John Terry will be among the high-profile free agents available this summer, following his exit from Chelsea, while Manchester City have already confirmed goalkeeper Willy Caballero, winger Jesus Navas and full-backs Gael Clichy and Bacary Sagna are to be released.

Midfielder Joey Barton is also looking for a new club after his release from Burnley, although he is serving an 18-month ban for betting offences.

Ibrahimovic made 46 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring 28 goals, and helped Jose Mourinho's team lift the Community Shield, the League Cup and the Europa League trophy.

Analysis

BBC Sport's Simon Stone

Zlatan Ibrahimovic will complete his rehabilitation from cruciate knee ligament surgery at Manchester United's Carrington training complex.

The Swede is out of contract on 30 June and there was no mention of another deal being offered when Ibrahimovic's name appeared on the Premier League released list on Friday afternoon.

That only proved nothing had been offered by 29 May, but it is understood there has been no change to that situation.

However, the fact Ibrahimovic will remain in Manchester to recover from an injury sustained in April and which is not likely to see him play again in 2018, indicates a new United contract is a possibility.

No guarantees have been made by the club though and evidently the extent of the forward's recovery and United's form in the first part of the 2017-18 campaign will be decisive.