Football
ESPN staff 7y

Man United's Zlatan Ibrahimovic on injury: 'Giving up is not an option'

Manchester United forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has promised that "giving up is not an option" after being diagnosed with a serious knee injury last week.

Ibrahimovic, 35, and Manchester United teammate Marcos Rojo suffered what the club called "significant knee ligament damage" during Thursday's Europa League win over Anderlecht at Old Trafford.

In Ibrahimovic's case, it could spell the end of his United career as his one-year deal expires in the summer, and may also threaten his entire future in the game.

However the former Ajax, Inter Milan and Paris Saint-Germain man took to social media to thank his fans for support.

First of all, thank you for all the support and love. Its no news I got injured so I will be out of fotball for a while. I will go through this like everythings else and come back even stronger. So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem. One thing is for sure, I decide when its time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon

A post shared by IAmZlatan (@iamzlatanibrahimovic) on

"First of all, thank you for all the support and love. Its no news I got injured so I will be out of fotball for a while," Ibrahimovic said. "I will go through this like everythings else and come back even stronger.

"So far I played with one leg so it shouldn't be any problem. One thing is for sure, I decide when its time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon."

Jose Mourinho said Ibrahimovic faces a difficult road to recovery given his age, but stressed that he is focused on rehabilitation rather than thoughts about whether he would ever play again.

Speaking prior to his side's 2-0 win at Burnley on Sunday, Mourinho said: "The injuries are really big.

"No player deserves to be injured, but these two cases are even more sad.

"Zlatan, in this phase of his career, it is really hard, and Marcos was in the best moment of his career, playing very well for us and finally getting a position as a central defender in the national team. It's really sad.

"I know [how long they will be out for], but it is for the medical department to be more specific.

"They prefer to wait a couple more days because the players want to see other specialists and to have an extra opinion, and we have to respect that. But they are important injuries."

Asked whether Ibrahimovic would play again, Mourinho said: "I'm not thinking about it. I just want the player to recover the best he can.

"I'm not sad for the team -- the impact not to have them can affect the team in terms of results and ambitions -- I just think about them."

United's players warmed up at Burnley in shirts with either Ibrahimovic or Rojo's name on the back.

Speaking after the game, Mourinho said: "We cry because we have two important injuries in two amazing guys.

"We cry because they are two important surgeries and two important periods of recovering, and we feel for our friends."

Press Association was used in this report.

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