Report: Manchester United could make Ibrahimovic 1st signing of Mourinho era

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Benoit Tessier / Reuters

Zlatan Ibrahimovic may reportedly be reunited with the manager who he "was basically willing to die for."

According to Simon Stone of BBC Sport, Manchester United could make Ibrahimovic its first signing under Mourinho, who is expected to take over at Old Trafford by the end of Wednesday, after the Red Devils sacked Louis van Gaal.

Ibrahimovic, 34, confirmed less than two weeks ago that he will be leaving Paris Saint-Germain this summer, and his final appearance for the club came in Saturday's Coupe de France final, which saw PSG defeat Olympique de Marseille 4-2 at the Stade de France. The Swede apparently boasts lucrative offers from clubs in China, but United retains the ability to pay huge wages due to its record turnover figures.

It was reported Tuesday that Jorge Mendes, the Portuguese super agent who is one of the most powerful men in football, and whose clientele includes Mourinho is meeting Ed Woodward, United's executive vice-chairman. There is allegedly recognition from the two parties that the Special One may not be officially appointed until the latter part of week, but he is expected to sign a deal worth in excess of the £7.5-million salary he commanded at Chelsea.

Related - Report: Woodward meeting Mourinho's agent to finalise 3-year contract

Ibrahimovic, who has never stepped foot in the Premier League, only spent one year working alongside Mourinho at Internazionale, but the striker made no secret in his autobiography of how the Portuguese manager won him over, writing: "Mourinho would become a guy I was basically willing to die for."

Of course, if he joined United, Ibrahimovic would also have the chance to take down his nemesis, Pep Guardiola, who will be leading Manchester City as of July. Zlatan fell out spectacularly with the Catalan manager at Barcelona, once saying: "If Mourinho lights up a room, Guardiola draws the curtains."

The Digest

Complete coverage: United fires Van Gaal, hires Mourinho

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Here's everything you need to know about Manchester United's decision to cut ties with bench boss Louis van Gaal, and the impending arrival of the self-proclaimed Special One, Jose Mourinho.

ONE OUT, ONE IN

REACTION

Not many people, aside from perhaps Daley Blind, were too distraught over the announcement of Van Gaal's firing:

The reaction the the appointment of the bombastic Portuguese, however, was understandably rooted in excitement:

LOOKING BACK AT VAN GAAL'S TENURE

GETTING READY FOR MOURINHO

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