Swede stalls on deal as Rooney rumors swirl

MANCHESTER, England - Growing uncertainty over the futures of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney threatens to overshadow resurgent Manchester United's Champions League quest.

Former Paris Saint-Germain striker Ibrahimovic has been a huge success during his first season in England, yet recent comments have cast doubt over whether there will be a second.

Ibrahimovic's 26th United goal was the winner in last Sunday's 3-2 League Cup final triumph over Southampton, securing the first major trophy of manager Jose Mourinho's tenure.

However, asked if he would trigger the 12-month extension option in his one-year contract, Ibrahimovic said: "We have another two months of the season to go. Let's see how I feel.

"Somebody made up a story that if we don't qualify for the Champions League, I will not extend. It has nothing to do with that."

The Swede, 35, has played his part in United's morale-boosting run in the cup competitions since its last Premier League match on Feb 11.

His hat-trick saw off Saint-Etienne in the Europa League last 32, he netted the winner against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup fifth round and scored twice to see off the Saints at Wembley.

Rarely making Mourinho's starting XI these days, Rooney has played no part for United for the last month, firstly as a result of a muscle injury and then because he needed root-canal treatment to sort out a dental problem.

The club captain was an unused substitute against Southampton and has become an increasingly peripheral figure at Old Trafford despite breaking United's all-time scoring record in January.

The 31-year-old forward is understood to be considering a return to his former club Everton. Toffees boss Ronald Koeman said on Tuesday that he was interested in signing the England captain.

United, unbeaten in the Premier League since October, is guaranteed to climb up from sixth spot with a win at home to Bournemouth on Saturday because the two teams immediately above them - Liverpool and Arsenal - play each other the same day.

A fourth-place finish would earn Champions League soccer after missing out this term.

"We are playing every week now and the manager understands perfectly what we need, said United midfielder Ander Herrera.

"Already, we have to focus on Bournemouth as we have to be in the top four. We want to play in the Champions League next season."

Central defender Phil Jones is ready to return after a month out with a foot injury, but attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan remains a doubt after missing the League Cup final with a hamstring problem.

Without a win in its last seven league games and on a four-match losing streak, Bournemouth is in danger of being dragged towards the relegation zone.

Eddie Howe's side sits in 14th, four points above the bottom three, but with a number of teams, including champion Leicester City, below it showing signs of improvement, the Cherries must halt their slide quickly.

Mascot madness

A mystery fan offered Russian side Rostov a bribe of nearly $3,000 to allow his son to lead Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic onto the pitch as a mascot in next week's Europa League clash.

"Yesterday a man called the club and offered 170,000 rubles for his son to lead out Ibrahimovic," Rostov spokesman Ivan Bodylevsky wrote on Twitter.

"What are (some) people ready to do."

Bodylevsky said the club had never accepted money for a child to serve as a mascot.

Last season's Russian league runner-up, Rostov stunned German giant Bayern Munich during the Champions League group stage to finish a surprise third and continue its European adventure in the Europa League.

Rostov thrashed Sparta Prague 5-1 in the last 32 to set up a showdown with United, which would have a preferred an opponent closer to home.

The first leg takes place in Rostov on Thursday with the return leg at Old Trafford on March 16.

Agence France-Presse