JOSE MOURINHO IS expected to leave Zlatan Ibrahimovic out of his Man United squad for the pre-season tour of China to allow the striker additional time to recover after Euro 2016.
Under Fifa regulations, players must be given a minimum three-week break but the Swedish striker, who signed for United on a free transfer at the start of the month, would be available to travel.
However, it’s been reported that Mourinho would prefer to give the 34-year-old further time off ahead of his debut season in the Premier League.
Ibrahimovic is currently on holiday in America following Sweden’s Euro 2016 exit and could now make his Man United debut in the pre-season friendly against Galatasaray on 30 July in Gothenburg.
Mourinho has cast his eye over his squad this week as United returned to pre-season training with new signings Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan both expected to be on the plane to China when it departs Manchester next Wednesday.
Wayne Rooney, Chris Smalling and Marcus Rashford will also be included in the travelling party but the new United manager has previously stated that they won’t feature.
Before then, Luke Shaw is expected to make his comeback from the horrific broken leg he sustained last September in the friendly against Wigan Athletic on Saturday.
The 21-year-old defender returned to full training along with his team-mates last Wednesday and could play his first game in 303 days at the DW Stadium.
Juan Mata, Memphis Depay, Daley Blind, Ashley Young, Ander Herrera and Michael Carrick could all feature in Mourinho’s first game in charge.
United then head to China next week where they will spend eight days, playing fixtures against Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City.
The42 is on Snapchat! Tap the button below on your phone to add!
