Ibrahimovic's age a sticking point for Van Gaal

Louis van Gaal could pass on impending free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic because he is too old for Manchester United.

The Dutch manager refused to confirm on Swedish TV whether he would make an approach for 34-year-old Ibrahimovic in the summer, but the indication is that he will continue to favour budding talent over aging stars.

United had "six or seven" players above the age of 33 when he took the United job in 2014 - all of whom are now gone, according to Van Gaal. Even Sir Alex Ferguson hesitated to give contracts to anyone in their 30s. It's a part of United's outlook on top-flight football.

"I like (our) own youth players more because they already know the culture in Manchester United, and that is also the philosophy for example of Ajax or Barcelona and also Bayern Munich," Van Gaal said in quotes picked up by the Guardian.

Only after significant injuries has Van Gaal managed to draft teenagers like Marcus Rashford and Timothy Fosu-Mensah in the matchday squad, but they are there nonetheless.

There is still admiration for Ibrahimovic, however. The Sweden captain scored his 39th goal across all competitions in Paris Saint-Germain's 2-2 draw with Manchester City on Tuesday, the latest in an "unbelievable" line of production from one of the game's leading strikers.

Related: Ibrahimovic not out of PSG yet, says agent

"Paris Saint-Germain is Zlatan and that is fantastic. When a manager like me, who favours the team (above the individual), is saying that, that is a compliment for him," Van Gaal said.

Ibrahimovic's age remains a sticking point, but Van Gaal wouldn't completely rule out a potential move for a player who could help - even in the short-term - a position of weakness at Old Trafford.

"You never know? I cannot say anything about that subject," Van Gaal said.