Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United striker to staty at Old Trafford until he’s 37 after a making a whole new ball game out of fitness levels

MANCHESTER UNITED want to trigger a one-year option on Zlatan Ibrahimovic — and believe he can go into a THIRD year at the club.

Club staff have been amazed by the Ponytailed Prince in his two months at the club, in particular with his fitness levels.

The option written into Ibrahimovic’s existing  contract is now a formality and is likely to be announced towards the end of the campaign.

But there is a belief that the Swedish striker — who United see  as the new Eric Cantona — can play beyond next season and start in 2018-19, when he will become 37 years old.

After he signed on a free transfer following his spell with Paris Saint-Germain, Ibra worked with a personal physiotherapist at the club’s Carrington HQ.

United announced on their Twitter feed that he broke a club record — previously held by Tyler Blackett — for physical power during his medical.

It has emerged that Zlatan had asked what the record for each stage of the medical was before setting new standards.

And since he began pre-season training,  the 34-year-old has impressed senior figures at the club with his interaction with staff and younger players, bringing comparisons to Cantona’s impact at Old Trafford.

Winger Jesse Lingard is close to signing a new United deal, with negotiations in the final stages.

The 23-year-old’s current contract expires at the end of next season but United want to tie him  to longer terms.

Lingard  scored the winner in the FA Cup final and the club feel he is making further progress under new boss Jose Mourinho.

Meanwhile, former United striker Federico Macheda could be on his way to Reading.

The Italian, 25, is a free agent after cancelling his contract at Cardiff.