Ibrahimovic released by Manchester United

United had been expected to opt against extending Ibrahimovic’s contract as he battles to recover from a serious knee injury.

Ibrahimovic is expected to miss the first five months of the season recovering from knee surgery, and with no prospect of him being back to full fitness until January, Jose Mourinho has apparently agreed with the club's board that paying £300,000-a-week to renew the player's contract makes no financial sense.

"Premier League clubs from the 2016/17 season have submitted the lists of players they will be keeping in their squads, and the ones they will be releasing," said the Premier League in a statement.

It is a tough blow for Ibrahimovic, who was a resounding success in his first and perhaps only season in the Premier League.

The former Paris St Germain, Barcelona and Juventus striker scored  28 goals in 46 appearances before the injury ended his season prematurely.

The 35-year-old suffered knee ligament damage in the Europa League quarter-final with Anderlecht on April 20 that required surgery in May.

Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola said last month he did now know if his client would be back at United as he looks to resume his career after he recovers from injury, but insisted he would not be short of options.

Ibrahimovic was the only player on United's release list.