Why Mario Mandzukic would be a smart signing for Manchester United

According to Italian outlet Tuttosport (h/t The Sun), Juventus striker Mario Mandzukic wants to join Manchester United before the start of the January transfer window.

The Croatia international, 33, has not played for Juventus this season and was even left out of Maurizio Sarri’s 22-man Champions League squad (h/t The Sun).

He was Manchester United’s target in the summer and was close to joining the club but the deal fell through (h/t The Sun).

Mario Mandzukic in action for Juventus. (Getty Images)

The report adds that Mario Mandzukic has decided to join United at the earliest, as he has not played a single minute of football for Juventus this season and wants a month to integrate with his new teammates.

But for that to happen, Juventus and Mandzukic would need to reach an informal agreement which would allow the Croatian to train with United.

United haven’t enjoyed a great start to the season and currently find themselves seventh in the table. Solskjaer is looking to recruit attacking reinforcements to support Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford in January after failing to bring in adequate replacements for Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez.

While United have scored 12 goals in the last six games across all competitions, an injury to either Rashford or Martial would leave United in a crisis.

Solskjaer has been cautious with teenage prodigy Mason Greenwood’s development but an injury will leave the United boss with no other alternative but to use the 18-year-old.

In order to avoid such a scenario, Solskjaer should bring in Mandzukic. In 2018-19, Mandzukic scored 10 goals in 33 appearances as Juventus won their eighth Serie A title in succession.

The ex-Atletico Madrid forward will not only bring goals to United but also add much-needed experience to Solskjaer’s young and fairly inexperienced forward department.

Mario Mandzukic is one of the most hardworking strikers in Europe. (Getty Images)

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Apart from being a prolific goalscorer, the Croatian international is strong in the air and an absolute handful for defenders in the box.

A World Cup finalist with Croatia, Mandzukic’s presence would provide United with a Plan B in the attack. In the video below, one can see the 33-year-old’s qualities and what he could bring to United.