Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s departure from Manchester United was confirmed on Friday when the Premier League published the list of players released by the clubs who were part of the top flight in the 2016-17 season.
Ibrahimovic suffered a serious knee injury against Anderlecht in April and is expected to be out until early 2018, by which point he will be 36. United decided not to take up an option to extend his contract by a season.
The Swede scored 17 Premier League goals last season and 28 in all competitions, including the winner in the EFL Cup final. José Mourinho is trying to sign Álvaro Morata from Real Madrid to strengthen United’s options in attack.
Ibrahimovic was the most notable name among the players released by the clubs. Arsenal confirmed the departure of the striker Yaya Sanogo and among the players leaving Crystal Palace are Joe Ledley, Jonathan Benteke and Fraizer Campbell.
As anticipated, John Terry was listed as a free agent after leaving Chelsea and Gaël Clichy, Jesús Navas, Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna and Willy Caballero were among those released by Manchester City.
Arouna Koné’s Everton exit and those of Joey Barton from Burnley and Darren Fletcher from West Bromwich Albion were also confirmed. The biggest exodus of senior players was from relegated Sunderland, whose release list included Victor Anichebe, Jan Kirchhoff, Seb Larsson, Joleon Lescott, John O’Shea and Steven Pienaar.
