Manchester United news: Europa League damaging our season, says Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Thursday night football is taking its toll on United's season says the Swede

Ibrahimovic scored late on to secure qualification in Odessa (Getty)

Manchester United’s hectic European schedule is ‘killing’ striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic according to the stiker.

United travelled to Ukraine on Thursday to play Zorya Luhansk, and a 2-0 win saw them progress to the last 32.

Their return flight touched down first thing on Friday morning after a three-hour journey, leaving the squad with just over two days to prepare for Sunday’s visit from Tottenham.

Ibrahimovic, who has made more appearances outfield than any other United player this season, has suggested that a congested fixture list has taken its toll on his team’s season.

"We don't have a lot of rest because these Thursdays are killing you, especially me" he said.

Prior to the 2016/17, the Swede had only made 6 appearances in Europe’s second tier cup competition; his last outing came for Ajax in November 2001, a second-round defeat to København, and the striker appears to be struggling with the transition to Thursday nights.

"I am not used to playing Thursdays and now we have one day less to recover. We have to get back to work and play the new game on Sunday," he continued.

Ibrahimovic has 8 in 13 appearances this season, and could add to that tally on Sunday. A loss would see Mourinho’s team 9 points off the top five at the start of the festive schedule. With Wayne Rooney still struggling for form form, a big performance from Mourinho’s Swedish talisman would be an early Christmas present for an under-fire manager.