Zlatan Ibrahimovic ‘can still play for many years’, according to surgeon Dr Freddie Fu who operated on Manchester United striker’s injured knee
Top doctor admits was left stunned by 'superb' shape and quality of the crocked striker's body after ligament blow
THE top surgeon who operated on Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hailed the physical condition of the Manchester United star.
And he reckons the Swedish striker could incredibly play on for "many years".
Ibrahimovic, 35, has been ruled out for the rest of 2017 after suffering anterior cruciate ligament damage during the club's Europa League clash with Anderlecht.
Keep up to date with ALL the Manchester United news, gossip and transfers on our club page
He is currently recovering after surgery in America to repair the fibres in his knee, an op he hoped would allow him to continue his career.
And Dr Freddie Fu - the man who carried out the surgery in Pittsburgh last month - admits he was left stunned by the physical shape he found Ibrahimovic in.
Fu, one of the leading experts in knee surgery around the world, told the South China Morning Post: "He's one of the top athletes I've ever touched, he is in superb shape.
"I can't discuss too many details, I don't want to get in trouble with Manchester United.
"But I can tell you he's in superb shape in all things.
most read in football
"Healthy morphology, the quality of the bone and muscle, everything is as good as you can possibly see."
Ibrhimovic's agent, Mino Raiola, recently revealed his client’s ligaments are so strong that medical professionals are eager to learn more about his body.
And Fu confirmed that he would like to meet with the former Inter Milan and PSG star again once his playing days are over.
He added: “Sure, in the future absolutely, when he's retired.
“But he can still play for many years, he's so healthy, so strong, biologically, bone morphology, everything, is absolutely very healthy.”
The view of the surgeon will come as a boost to Ibrahimovic, who is determined to get back to playing first team football again when he recovers.
United had offered to extend his contract for a second season while he went through his rehabilitation - an offer the player rejected because he didn't feel right collecting his salary while sidelined.
But United boss Jose Mourinho is understood to have doubts over whether Ibrahimovic will ever return to good enough fitness to play for the club again.
Whether he every plays for United again remains unclear, but the former Swedish international enjoyed a successful season at Old Trafford scoring 28 goals.
It has emerged Ibrahimovic pocketed a £2.86million on top of his basic wages as a result of a goal incentive bonus that kicked in every time he hit the net.