Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been warned by his surgeon that he risks facing another spell on the sidelines if he rushes his recovery from an anterior cruciate ligament layoff.
The 35-year-old was initially ruled out for the best part of a year after landing awkwardly during an aerial challenge in the Red Devils' win against Anderlecht in April.
Ibrahimovic underwent successful surgery at Pittsburgh's University Hospital at the end of last season, with surgeon Dr Freddie Fu providing a positive update at the time.
Reports in the British press suggest that the ex-Sweden international has targeted a return to action before the end of November, having been named in United's Champions League group-stage squad, but Dr Fu wants the striker to take however long is needed to get back to full fitness.
"He is very strong but soccer is still a combative sport," Sky Sports News quotes him as saying. "As a doctor, of course I want to see him return as slow as possible, only when he is fully fit for the game.
"There have been many cases of a player returning prematurely with bad consequences. I have no worry about his injury as it always takes time to fully recover.
"In fact, the EPL has just started and I am sure Manchester United would not need the player urgently for any crucial game either in the league or European competitions."
Ibrahimovic led the scoring charts for United last season with 28 goals in all competitions, leading to a contract extension being awarded during the summer.
Daniel Lewis
