Manchester United round-up: Everton’s Ross Barkley linked; Chris Smalling told to leave; Zlatan Ibrahimovic could stay

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Jose Mourinho’s signing of defender Victor Lindelof could be just the first of many moves this summer and The Times say that Everton midfielder Ross Barkley could follow in his footsteps. Barkley is set to be sold this summer if he does not put pen to paper on a new contract, with one year left on his existing deal.

The midfielder could add creativity and attacking threat as Mourinho looks to rebuild his attacking line-up. With Anthony Martial failing to impress and both Wayne Rooney and Zlatan Ibrahimovic set to leave, there is room for plenty of additions at Old Trafford.

Another player could make way to fund that spending as the Daily Star report that Everton, West Ham and Crystal Palace are all tracking the situation of central defender Chris Smalling. The England international was reportedly told he is free to leave after the signing of Lindelof is confirmed.

The centre-back started the season well, even wearing the captain’s armband on occasion early in the season, but fell out of favour later on. Injuries did not help his cause, with Mourinho criticising his withdrawal from a fixture at Swansea and a broken toe sustained on international duty keeping him out of action for a substantial period.

Another player blighted by a serious injury is striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. However, despite having been officially released by the club, the Manchester Evening News indicate that the Swede could be offered a short term deal next season once he has returned to full fitness.

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The 35-year-old scored an impressive 26 goals and ended the campaign as the club’s top scorer, but with a cruciate knee ligament injury likely to keep him out until 2018, the club were understandably reluctant to pay his huge wages. Instead, he will be supported through his rehabilitation and could even return to playing for the Red Devils once fit.

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