'Lions don't recover like humans!' - Zlatan returns for Man Utd after seven months on the sidelines

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has made his return for Manchester United after missing seven months with a cruciate knee ligament injury. 

The Swedish striker entered Saturday's Premier League match against Newcastle United in the 77th minute, replacing Anthony Martial.

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There were fears Ibrahimovic's career could be over after he suffered the serious knee injury against Anderlecht in the Europa League in April.

Expected to miss between nine and 12 months with the injury, Ibrahimovic managed to work his way back in just under seven months. 

And, in typical Ibrahimovic fashion, the striker explained that he was never worried about failing to return, "as lions don't recover like humans".

He added: "I train hard, sacrifice a lot. I play in my head, my knee just needs to follow."

Ibrahimovic was out of contract at the end of last season but after making sufficient progress in his recovery, United brought him back for the 2017-18 season on a one-year contract.

The 36-year-old scored 27 goals in 45 total appearances for the Red Devils in 2016-17, his first season with the club.