Zlatan Ibrahimovic was among the players who did not attend Manchester United's Player of the Year awards at Old Trafford on Thursday night.

Axar.az reports citing Manchester Evening News, Ibrahimovic recently had surgery on his anterior cruciate ligament but was pictured flying back to Europe with former AC Milan teammate Ignazio Abate in midweek.

The 35-year-old was a frontrunner for the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award after scoring 28 goals, including United's winners in the Community Shield and EFL Cup final, but Ibrahimovic did not turn up at United's stadium for their annual do.

Alongside the picture of the duo relaxing on the private jet Abate wrote: "With the bomber travelling comfortable and spacious ... #backhome."

After his surgery, Ibrahimovic wrote on Instagram: "Fixed, done and stronger. Once again thank you for the support. We will enjoy my game together soon."

Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola said in a statement: "Zlatan Ibrahimovic has undergone successful knee surgery.