Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is keeping an open mind about when Zlatan Ibrahimovic might be available to make his return to action for the club.
United announced on Thursday that Ibrahimovic had re-signed for them on a one-year deal.
The 35-year-old striker is recovering from a knee ligament injury he sustained in April, which prematurely cut short his impressive 28-goal debut season with the Red Devils and had initially led to him not being offered a second year.
Speaking on Friday at his press conference to preview Saturday's Premier League home clash with Leicester, Mourinho said he did not think Ibrahimovic would be able to feature in the group stage of the Champions League.
But he also indicated the Swede would be included in the squad list for those matches, before saying he had "no idea at all" about when Ibrahimovic would be ready to play again.
"I just think he will be an extra man for us in the second part of the season"
"He will not be ready for the group phase of the Champions League, I don't think there is any chance of that," Mourinho said.
"Do we have space in the Champions League list to have him? Yes, we have. So we don't need to leave any player outside of the list.
"But I'm not thinking Zlatan to play any part in the group phase. Hopefully he can play in the knock-out phase."
When then pushed for what he regarded as a realistic estimate of when Ibrahimovic might be available again, Mourinho said: "I don't want to think about it. I don't even ask.
"I don't speak with him about it or with the medical team about it. I just think he will be an extra man for us in the second part of the season.
"When I say second part, normally we say January, after Christmas.
"But I have no idea at all and I think the right way is not even to think or speak about it and just let him do his work step by step and come back when he's ready."
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Thursday also saw the draw for the Champions League group stage being made, with United ending up in a pool alongside Benfica, Basle and CSKA Moscow.
Boosted by Ibrahimovic's goals following his move to Old Trafford after leaving Paris St Germain, United won the EFL Cup and the Europa League last season.
While his future remained uncertain, the club offered him the use of their Carrington facilities to carry out his rehabilitation after he underwent surgery on his injured knee.
And Mourinho added on Friday: "I'm really happy with both the player and club.
"It would be very easy for him to say goodbye, to say it is enough. He has had success at Manchester United, big injury, goodbye.
"He doesn't do that - he wants to follow his other dreams and play football at the highest level, so it shows the dimension of character and personality of the player.
"And it shows the dimension of the club. A club like Manchester United in my opinion has to show how big it is in details, and this is a big detail.
"A player that gets injured with the Manchester United shirt, fighting for the club - the club has to be there for him."
United have made a very encouraging start to their league campaign, with their opening two games seeing them thrash both West Ham at home and Swansea away 4-0.
Among the many players to shine in those matches have been Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Anthony Martial, two men who went through some difficulties last term.
Mourinho feels with both playmaker Mkhitaryan and forward Martial there is better understanding between him and them, and is optimistic each is set for an improved season.
"In the beginning of last season if he (Mkhitaryan) understands me better he would have started better, but, at the same time, if I understand him better probably I would help him in a faster way than I did," Mourinho said.
"But we spent our time together, working together, learning each other. I know him well, he knows me well, and after the second part of the season was good for him, I believe with his talent this season will be even better."
Regarding Martial, Mourinho added: "I think when you have some talent you cannot waste, when you are blessed with some talent, you have to fulfil that talent, explore it and not be happy just with glimpses.
"I want more and more and more from him, because he has the qualities for that. But I think he understands me better too, the personal relationship is good, and I hope he is going to be better this season than last."
