Mourinho Reveals Ibrahimovic Lay-off

Jose Mourinho has revealed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic will be absent from first-team football for a month due to a knee problem.

The boss gave the news in TV interviews following United's goalless draw against Southampton, for which Ibrahimovic was absent from the matchday squad.

The Swede started the 2-2 draw against Burnley at Old Trafford on Boxing Day, but was replaced by Jesse Lingard at half-time. He had returned to competitive football against Newcastle on 18 November, after a seven-month lay-off due to a knee ligament injury sustained in a Europa League match against Anderlecht last season.

"It's a massive problem," said the manager. "He is a 37-year-old with a bad knee."

Ibrahimovic made his first start of the campaign in the Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat away to Bristol City, and marked his return to the side by thundering in a second-half free-kick.

A first Premier League start followed against Burnley, but now the striker is set for another spell on the sidelines.

There was more bad news for Mourinho when Romelu Lukaku was taken off on a stretcher during the Southampton game, after a nasty aerial collision with Saints defender Wesley Hoedt.

United visit Goodison Park to play Everton on New Year's Day, and host Derby County in an Emirates FA Cup third-round tie on Friday 5 January.