ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC chose to quit Manchester United early once they were knocked out of the Champions League, claims his knee surgeon.
Ibrahimovic walked out of Old Trafford last week having struggled to make an impact in his second spell with the club following his recover from knee ligament damage.
Many believed his slow progress getting back up to sharpness was the main reason behind him leaving and joining MLS side LA Galaxy.
But the man who operated on the knee injury suffered last season and oversaw his recovery insists it was United’s humbling by Sevilla that was the reason why he left.
Ibrahimovic, 36, has never won the Champions League during his glittering career, and his last chance would have been with United this season.
Dr Freddie Fu Ho-Kueng, the Miami-based surgeon who’s skills helped prolong Zlatan’s career, told the South China Morning Post: “He and the coach get along well. He liked Manchester United, he’s a hero before the injury.
“His idea was to see if we can go back and win more titles, especially the Champions League.
“After United lost to Sevilla, I think his decision, in my opinion, was that maybe that was it. This is my feeling.
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“United won’t be able to catch up with Manchester City in the Premier League either. Maybe they can win the FA Cup which is good but not as good as the Champions League.
“He did everything else pretty much, won every major thing. Unfortunately they lost to Sevilla.
“I think he would have stayed longer, but he didn’t tell me that.”
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The top surgeon insists there is no long term issue with the injury which kept Ibrahimovic out of football for six months.
He added: “He’s doing really well, we checked him all the time with studies and tests.
“The repair has been all sound. There’s no re-injury in any way to him, in terms of structural damage.
“I’d give him an A plus, I reassured the Galaxy he would be fine. The Galaxy doctor will have checked him too, they have to for a big transfer.
“He’s really had no injuries, he just pushed himself so hard. Just more aches and pains. But everything we did was in good shape”
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