Jose Mourinho has said he has had to rethink Manchester United’s summer transfer plans after injuries to Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo.
The pair damaged knee ligaments in the 2-1 Europa League win over Anderlecht last week.
Asked at a news conference on Wednesday whether long-term injuries to Ibrahimovic and Rojo had affected his summer business, Mourinho said: “Yes. Yes. Because if I don’t have the players for a long period of time.”
Rojo could be out until the new year while there are doubts about whether 35-year-old Ibrahimovic will be able to resume his career.
The former Sweden international, who will undergo an operation in the United States this week, has vowed to “come back stronger,” although his United future is uncertain with his contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Mourinho has started work on his summer recruitment drive, and sources have told ESPN FC that he is ready to make four key signings, including a forward and a defensive midfielder.
United also hold an interest in Atletico Madrid’s Antoine Griezmann, Burnley centre-back Michael Keane and Chelsea winger Willian.
The United manager had already targeted a goal scorer after watching his team stutter in front of goal this season.
He has said repeatedly his forwards have not been clinical enough — United are the lowest scorers in the Premier League’s top seven with 50 goals in 32 games.
But Mourinho also now faces the prospect of replacing Ibrahimovic, who has scored 28 goals this term.
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