The Swede came on with 13 minutes remaining in Manchester United's 4-1 win over Newcastle, and almost scored with a scissor-kick saved by Rob Elliot.
The striker, who scored 28 goals for United last season, has been out since April with a knee ligament injury, and was re-signed last month by Jose Mourinho.
His first few touches were cheered by the packed Old Trafford crowd, seeing Ibrahimovic wear the No 10 shirt after Romelu Lukaku took over the No 9 jersey.
Paul Pogba also returned from a two-month injury during the win, scoring and adding an assist in a man-of-the-match
performance. Mourinho's side are still eight points behind leaders Manchester City in the race for the Premier League title.