Man Utd confirmed this morning that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be one of the players to depart the club when his contract runs out at the end of the month.
The news was confirmed on Friday morning when the club released its list of released and retained players for next season. Ibrahimovic was the only player not retained.
The 35-year-old joined Man Utd on a one-year deal last summer, enjoying a prolific season in England as he scored 28 goals in all competitions.
His season was cut short in April when he suffered a knee injury during a Europa League game. It was a moment which proved crucial for his future. Prior to the injury, it had been expected Ibrahimovic would remain at Old Trafford for at least another season.
Here is the list of all released Premier League players in full:
AFC Bournemouth
Buckley Callum Ralph
McCarthy Jake
Neale Matthew AlexanderArsenal
Da Graca Kristopher Santos
O'Connor Stefan Ramone Sewell
Sanogo YayaBurnley
Barton Joseph
Green George William
Hill Christian Stephen
Kightly Michael John
Olomowewe Taofiq Aderibigbe Akanni
Pingling Richard Junior GeorgeChelsea
Davey Alex James
Terry John GeorgeCrystal Palace
Andrews Corie Anthony
Appiah Kwesi
Benteke Jonathan
Campbell Fraizer Lee
Croll Luke Alan
Flamini Mathieu
Fryers Ezekiel David
King-Elliott Ryan
Ledley Joseph Christopher
Williams Randell
Wynter Ben DouglasEverton
Bainbridge Jack
Brewster Delial Edmund
Donohue Michael John
Duffus Tyrone Errol
Griffiths Russell John
Hunt Connor Charles
Kone Arouna
McAleny Conor Michael
Yarney Josef Charles
Yates James JohnHull City
Bruce Alex Stephen
Lofts Luke
Maloney Shaun Richard
Maslen-Jones Bradley
Ter Horst JohanLeicester City
Cain Michael Dean
Domej David
Fox Brandon Levi
Kipre Cedric
Miles Matthew Richard
Mitchell Kairo Ellis
Wasilewski MarcinLiverpool
Brewitt Tom
Brimmer Jake
Dunn Jack
Gomes Aju Madger Antonio
Lewis Kane
Manninger Alexander
Phillips Adam LeeManchester City
Bullock Callum
Caballero Lazcano Wilfredo Daniel
Clichy Gael
Navas Jesus
O'Brien Billy Thomas
Plummer Ellis Kane
Sagna Bacary
Zabaleta Girod Pablo JavierManchester United
Ibrahimovic ZlatanMiddlesbrough
Fewster Bradley William
Konstantopoulos Dimitrios
Maloney Lewis Terence James
Mondal Junior
Wheatley Josef JamesSouthampton
Caceres Silva Jose Martin
Isgrove Lloyd Jeffrey
Martina Rhu-Endly Aurelio Jean-Carlo
Willard Harley BrynStoke City
Bachmann Daniel
Edwards Liam
Given Shay John James
Isted Harvey James Duke
Taylor Joel
Waring George PhilipSunderland
Anichebe Victor Chinedu
Brady George
Buckley William Edward
Casey Dan Patrick
Kirchhoff Jan Tilman
Larsson Sebastian Bengt Ulf
Lawson Carl
Lescott Joleon Patrick
O'Shea John Francis
Pain Oliver David
Pienaar StevenSwansea City
Dyson Thomas Jonathan
Emnes Marvin
Holland Thomas
Jones Owain Rhys
Samuel Alexander Kinloch
Shephard Liam
Tremmel Gerhard
Vickers JoshTottenham Hotspur
Lesniak FilipWatford
Adeyemo Ola
Bannister Charlie Brendan Alec
Gilmartin Rene
Moreno Fuertes Juan Francisco
Obi Ogochukwu Alexander
Ovenden Rhyle
Ranegie MathiasWest Bromwich Albion
Barbir Daniel
Elbouzedi Zachary
Fletcher Darren Barr
Jones Callam
Pocognoli Sebastien
Rose Jack Joseph
Wright AndreWest Ham United
Arbeloa Coca Alvaro
Ford Samuel George
Howes Samuel Scott
Knoyle Kyle
Westley Samuel Edward
Ibrahimovic underwent surgery last month for the knee injury. How long it will keep him out of action is uncertain. It could be well into the new year before he returns to the pitch.
His astronomic wages, reported to be £367,640 a week, are likely to have been a major factor in the club's decision. It makes little sense to pay Ibrahimovic such an eye-watering sum to spend the majority of next season rehabilitating his knee.
