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11/02/2024 01:30:21 pm

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Football News & Rumors: Conflicting reports emerge about Zlatan Ibrahimović's China visit for 2016 ICC

Swede striker Zlatan Ibrahimović

(Photo : Getty Images) Conflicting reports have emerged with regards to Manchester United’s new signing Zlatan Ibrahimović on whether he will feature with Jose Mourinho’s squad in the upcoming 2016 ICC.

Conflicting reports have emerged with regards to Manchester United's new signing Zlatan Ibrahimović on whether he will feature with Jose Mourinho's squad in the upcoming 2016 International Champions Cup (ICC).

One of the three legs of the said friendly tournament will be held in China from July 22 to July 28, and the Red Devils are scheduled to meet English cross-city rivals Manchester City and Bundesliga powerhouse Borussia Dortmund in the three-team mini-tourney. United will face Dortmund first at the Shanghai Stadium on the 22nd then City on the 25th.

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The Daily Star reported that Ibrahimović is all geared up for the China visit as the Swede striker even posted a video of himself in social media running on a treadmill as part of his training and preparations for the preseason with United.

The report mentioned that the 6-foot-5 Malmö, Sweden native "is due back in Manchester in the next 48 hours to star pre-season training and get to know his new team-mates" as he is going to be a "part of the United squad that jets off to China on Tuesday for the club's pre-season tour" in China.

Ibrahimović is currently on vacation in the United States with his family as FIFA decrees football clubs to give their players a minimum rest of three weeks following tournaments.

The Swede captain, who just announced his retirement from competing with the Sweden national team, participated in the recently concluded 2016 UEFA European Championship. The Blue-Yellow did not advance in the knockout stages with their last game in the competitions taking place on June 22, a 0-1 loss to Belgium.

With the 2016 ICC set a month later, it would be more than three weeks of rest for Ibrahimović so he should be allowed to play if he and the club want to.

However, The Guardian indicated that new Red Devils head coach Jose Mourinho is not keen on playing him in China as the Portuguese mentor intends to give the former Ligue 1 top goalscorer additional rest before the start of the new Premier League season.

It was noted that Ibrahimović could make his United debut on July 30 versus Turkish club Galatasaray or on August 3 against fellow Premier League side Everton.

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