Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has admitted that he is willing to remain patient on his return from injury as Romelu Lukaku "is making the job easier" for him.

The 36-year-old, handed a new deal at Old Trafford in the summer to take him through until the end of the current campaign, has not featured for the Red Devils since April.

Ibrahimovic is expected to make a comeback before the year is out, but he is happy to bide his time as Lukaku - with 11 goals in 14 games to his name - has taken the weight off his shoulders since arriving in the off-season.

"The team is stronger this season," he told Sky Sports News. "Lukaku is in the team scoring a lot of goals, and he is making the job easier for me, because last year when we were playing we could not change that role.

"We had one scoring the goals, and doing that job, and there was no variations for the coach. This season it is easier. Lukaku is only positive, because he makes my "comeback" less pressured, it gives me a lot of time, and I'm happy for that.

"The more time I get, the better it gets. He's scoring his goals and doing what he needs to do. When I come back, the coach is there, we will see how things go. I see it very strong. Because the more quality we have in the team, the more alternatives we have, the easier it is for the manager."

Former Sweden international Ibrahimovic led the scoring charts for United last season, netting 26 goals in 46 appearances overall.