When Manchester United announced Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s arrival, the celebration within the United faithfuls was no less than a carnival and that is the stature that the big Swede holds.
The problem at Manchester United since the departure of Sir Alex has been the lack of their usual attacking prowess. Their impotence in front of the goal has been the reason of their tremendous downfall but with Zlatan’s arrival and his records at his previous clubs one thing came with surity and that was, GOALS.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a phenomenon, as dedicated as the other players come themselves – they could scarcely believe the level of professionalism their new striker came with.
It offers a case study for Zlatan’s supreme conscientiousness towards his trade and why, after more than 750 career games, he is still revered as one of the best in Europe.
With the very first Zlatan showed that he means business, his form in August could’ve scared every title challenger but at 35, even though he seems physically very capable, his game has changed. In United’s 3 continuous losses people made Rooney and others the scapegoats but if you look closely Zlatan wasn’t offering much to the team himself.
Yes, he will score a goal every other game but his general play hasn’t been very effective other than a few Zlatan-esque trickeries and maybe it’s time Mourinho needs to address this. Against Stoke City, Zlatan was presented a golden chance just minutes into the game to put United ahead and he missed it and throughout the 90 minutes he had ample opportunities himself to win the game for United but he failed to ro so.
It might be too early to question a player like Zlatan but with Martial sitting on the bench and Zlatan dip in form it’s about time that he needs to be given a break and a Rashford- Martial- Mkhitaryan front 3 is needed to be tested.
With Rashford- Martial together, United will have breathtaking pace in their team and players who can take on any defender when they’re on the ball. Martial if regains his form from last season and the attacking intent that United have shown he can provide United much more than what Zlatan could offer.
A midfield of Herrera- Mata – Pogba is a fine mix or pace and creativity and to compliment that United need to have player who speed up the game rather than slowing it down. Mkhitaryan if fit and available is the best choice on the right wing and in the world of ifs and buts if he performs on the level he did with Dortmund last year United could run ramapge with a front three of Martial – Rashford- Mkhitaryan with Herrera- Mata – Pogba behind them.
Martial replacing Zlatan could give United another pacey and direct dimension to their game. With Rashford involved, they could switch positions and could cause havoc for the opposition.
It could be huge for Mourinho to drop Zlatan ahead of a youngster but if he has to mount a serious challenge to the cross town rivals ane his greatest nemesis, he has to experiment with this and needs to manage Zlatan in a very shrewd way.
