COMMENT: Well, that changes everything. That video. Zlatan's video. As far as public opinion goes, he must have convinced Manchester United fans about his renewal.
All that mystery about a return date. Eight months? Nine? Yet, the Swede is out there this week knocking the ball about in his back garden? Do you ever get the feeling you're being taken for a ride?
Of course, it's been great theatre. In England, it hasn't been given so much of a run, but in his native Sweden, all the cloak and dagger around Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return date has been big news. No-one knows. Even when his surgeons are quoted, we still can't get answers. Ibrahimovic, himself, has kept stum. And while Mino Raiola has been happy to chat this week, we're still none the wiser about when his client will actually get back onto the pitch.
But then came the video... and with it the avalanche of goodwill from United fans. In the court of public opinion, it's virtually unanimous: Zlat must stay.
And we say public opinion, because behind the gates at Carrington, Jose Mourinho has always made it clear: He wants Ibrahimovic to stick around. The centre-forward, from general consensus, won't make the start of the season. But on this week's evidence, that 8-9 month claim from the experts is looking flimsy - and we're not just talking about Ibra's video.
Say what you want about Raiola (and we know there's a lot to be said), but he doesn't play anyone for a mug. He'll tell us the home truths he laid out to Mario Balotelli. The reasons why Henrikh Mkhitaryan had a hesitant beginning at Old Trafford. Raiola will tell the public, when he chooses to speak, exactly what he's thinking.
Which is why when he says Ibrahimovic is ready to play Premier League football next season, we should believe him.
"[Ibrahimovic] wants to stay in England and at the top," the Italian said this week. "If he sees he is a valuable asset for United he will stay. But he knows he can valuable asset for other top clubs also.
"I think it is respectful to talk to Manchester United and see what all parties want."
Yeah, they messed the club around this year. The fans also. All this being coy about next season. MLS? China? Raiola was even out there talking about AC Milan. They love the drama, the pair of 'em. But this time, in April, it blew up in their face.
So now it's different. It's time to get serious. MLS. China. They're out. Even a return to Italy isn't being considered. It's United or another Premier League club. And as much as some sections of the support were frustrated with all the carry on pre-April 20, if United's medical staff are satisfied, then dealing in Ibra for one more year is a must.
With Wayne Rooney now on his way, you're talking about United losing both their official captain and their de facto. All that talk about reinventing the culture at United, it'll be back to square one. Yes, the 28 goals this season were important. Crucial. But the influence Ibrahimovic had across the playing staff was just as critical. The manager knows this. It's why he pushed so hard to bring Ibrahimovic to England a year ago. And why he wants to hold onto him for another 12 months.
But it will take some delicate negotiations on Mourinho's part. There was a little warning from Raiola this week, with his "if he sees he is a valuable asset" remark.
In other words, Ibrahimovic, when he is fit to return, will expect to walk back into the first team. If Mourinho does pursue a centre-forward signing in the coming months - and lands one - where will that leave Ibra? £100 million has been mentioned for Everton striker Romelu Lukaku - a Raiola client. There's also Torino's Andrea Belotti and his €100 million buyout clause.
On paper, it looks easy. Sign a young centre-forward to work with and eventually succeed Ibrahimovic. But two into one doesn't fit. And it's difficult to see the Swede accepting any sort of reserve role - which you can say the same about Lukaku and Belotti.
As mentioned, it should've been easy. The money for attacking resources was to go on replacing Rooney. But the hyper-extension changed everything. Mourinho can't wait around for Ibra. United can't go into the new season without a centre-forward. The Swede knows this, but will also need some convincing. He'll want to end his career on the pitch - and on a high.
The latter Mourinho can sell. But if his new £100 million man gets off to a flyer... Ibrahimovic need only look to his current captain to see how quickly things can change.
