Swedish legend and Manchester Unites striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has rule out retirement despite serious knee injury and vowed to "comeback even stronger" even if it means playing on one leg.
The 35-year-old suffered a suspected ruptured cruciate ligament in his right knee, with United manager Jose Mourinho refusing to confirm the injury on Sunday despite admitting that he knows what it is as he wanted to give the medical team longer to fully diagnose to problem.
The leading goal scorer for United landed awkwardly during United’s Europa League victory over Anderlecht last Thursday and hyper-extended his knee, forcing him to limp from the field of play and face up to nine months on the sidelines.
Mourinho confirmed Independent that Zlatan’s injury is “really bad†and expressed his sadness for the veteran to suffer the blow towards the end of his career.
But the Swede has taken to Instagram to not only thank fans for their kind wishes but also to end any talk of hanging up his boots.
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“First of all, thank you for all the support and love,†Ibrahimovic wrote on Instagram.
“It’s no news I got injured so I will be out of football for a while.
“I will go through this like everything 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 it’s time to stop and nothing else. Giving up is not an option. See you soon.â€
With Ibrahimovic set to be out of action until January, Mourinho and United have a big decision to make over his future.
The club was keen to tie the forward down to a one-year extension clause that is currently in his contract, though the striker had yet to commit himself up to the time of his injury.