Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been slapped with a three-match ban by the Football Association after admitting to a charge of violent conduct in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bournemouth, The FA have confirmed.

Whilst there was no action taken during the game, the Swede has been hit with retrospective action after videos showed him to elbow Cherries defender Tyrone Mings, minutes after the former Ipswich man had caught the head of Ibrahimovic with his studs after a challenge.

The south coast club are appealing the same charge put to their man, who has only recently recovered from a year-and-half injury, therefore there is no announcement from The FA on that front just yet.

Meanwhile for United manager Jose Mourinho, the time has come to work on plans to keep his side going in the absence of their main man.

The former PSG and Barcelona striker has been on fire for United this term, defying all critics and bagging himself 26 goals so far, however, will miss a crucial FA Cup quarter-final clash with Chelsea, as well as Premier League ties with Middlesbrough and West Brom.

Here are THREE ways the former Chelsea boss could line up without their main man…

Go Big

One bonus for Manchester united in the absence of their big striker is the return of their star playmaker, Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Should Mourinho look to go with the big guns over the next few domestic games, the Armenian will be key, playing out on the right hand side, with Juan Mata over on the left, and Paul Pogba sat in a advanced midfield role.

Leading the line will be Anthony Martial, who has impressed upon his return from the Old Tafford wilderness.

Young Guns

With Europa League ties, for which Ibrahimovic will be available, mixed in with the domestic fixtures over the next few weeks, Mourinho could look to mix things up and give the younger guys a go in the Premier League.

Should he opt for such a method, the Portuguese should recall last season’s sensation, Marcus Rashford, to lead the line, with Martial pushed wide left and fellow academy graduate Jesse Lingard out on the right.

Behind them, once again, another Carrington alumni, Pogba.

Old School

Finally, Mourinho could turn to experience to replace the 35-year-old, it only makes sense doesn’t it?

The absence of Zlatan presents an ideal opportunity for captain Wayne Rooney to earn some more playing time, he can roll back the years and lead the line, with Mata behind him as a number ten, Mkhitaryan bringing experince on the left and forgotten man, Ashley Young, filling the right-hand berth.