Friday, July 01, 2016

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has announced he is to join Manchester United – with Henrikh Mkhitaryan seemingly also close to a move to Old Trafford.

Despite the FA Cup winners not officially announcing either deal, new manager Jose Mourinho looks like landing two of his main targets after Ibrahimovic announced on Instagram on Thursday afternoon that he is set to join United.

Ibrahimovic, 34, is a free agent after leaving Paris St Germain at the end of last season and has also recently retired from international football with Sweden.

The forward is set to be reunited with Mourinho after the pair worked together during a successful spell at Inter Milan and, following weeks of speculation, he announced his intention to sign for United with a post on Instagram.

“Time to let the world know. My next destination is @manchesterunited,” he wrote.

It’s understood no deal has yet been signed, and the player is still to undergo a medical – but his decision to go public suggests he is confident it will go through.

Meanwhile, an agreement for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Mkhitaryan is yet to be formally announced but, later on Thursday, United’s official online shop was carrying images of their new blue away kit – available to order with the Armenia international’s name printed on the back.

The page was soon removed and an error messaged replaced it, although its initial presence would suggest the Red Devils have finally thrashed out a deal to sign the highly-rated 27-year-old.

Considering his age, Ibrahimovic is expected to pen a short-term deal at United, with both he and Mkhitaryan now potentially joining Eric Bailly in moving to the 20-time league champions this summer.

One of his four remaining Italian titles came under new United boss Mourinho at Inter in 2009. The pair will now be together again after Mourinho, who is set to be formally unveiled next week, was appointed as Louis van Gaal’s successor at United in May.

Ibrahimovic also scored 62 goals in 116 appearances for Sweden before retiring from international football following their elimination from Euro 2016 last week.

It was suggested he could continue to play in the Olympics later this summer but he declined that opportunity, clearing the way for him to join United.

Ivory Coast defender Bailly, 22, moved from Villarreal for £30million earlier in the month, with Mourinho started to assemble a squad he hopes can take United back to the top of the Premier League.

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