Zlatan Ibrahimovic is leaving Manchester United as Premier League club permits MLS transfer

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has played his last game for Manchester United. Ibrahimovic last played for Manchester United the day after Christmas. His next game will be in US-based Major League Soccer (MLS).

ESPN reported early Thursday that United manager Jose Mourinho cleared the path for Ibrahimovic (36) to leave the club for MLS. The LA Galaxy are the frontrunners to land Ibrahimovic, according to the report.

Ibrahimovic has not played for Manchester United since being substituted during the home draw against Burnley on December 26. Ibrahimovic had joined the Premier League club on a free transfer signing from Paris Saint-Germain 2016. 

Ibrahimovic is returning from a major knee injury. He scored 29 goals in 53 appearances for the United.

The Swede has less than four months remaining on his Old Trafford contract. 

Ibrahimovic said earlier this month that he has not ruled out ending his international retirement to play for Sweden at the World Cup in Russia this summer.

Meanwhile, LA Times sportswriter Kevin Baxter tweeted that Ibrahimovic has joined LA Galaxy.