Ibrahimovic out for a month

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been ruled out for a month after not featuring for Manchester United in their goalless draw with Southampton on Saturday.

Ibrahimovic was not included in Jose Mourinho’s squad for the Premier League clash, although it now appears the former Sweden international is set for a lengthy injury lay-off.

United lost Romelu Lukaku to a head injury eight minutes into the match and Mourinho was quizzed afterwards as to whether Ibrahimovic was a viable replacement should the Belgian face his own spell on the sidelines.

But Mourinho, who said there was no update on Lukaku’s condition in the immediate aftermath, revealed Ibrahimovic would be missing for a month, restricting his options at the forefront of his attack to just Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial.

The boss has revealed that @Ibra_official will be out of action for #MUFC for one month. pic.twitter.com/qrb60A3tU4

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2017

United could enter 2018 some 17 points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City if their fierce rivals can extend their record-breaking winning run to 19 matches against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Mourinho’s men face Everton on New Year’s Day before taking on Derby County in the FA Cup on Friday.