Manchester United have a history of having some great strikers in their squad. From George Best to Wayne Rooney, everyone made a great impact on the team. But it seems that United are losing the era, losing the magic, and losing their shape. Till Alex Ferguson, United were the giants, the giants everyone feared. Ferguson had that magic, but, after he retired, everything has gone. Manchester United appointed David Moyes as their new manager and since then, the downfall began.
He was sacked in the same season he joined and United finished 7th that season. Then came the Dutch philosopher who completely turned the squad around and sold the familiar faces like Fletcher, Chicharito, Van Persie, Nani and Welbeck. But, bought some fresh and active faces like Falcao, Di Maria, Blind, Herrera, Luke Shaw. Compared to their previous season, they fought well and finished their campaign on 4th. After a bitter season at Old Trafford, Di Maria and Falcao left. The next season (Current season) he brought Schweinsteiger, Depay, Marcos Rojo, and Scheiderlin. Fans thought that this would be a season to remember because after all, The Dutch tactician had spent almost 300 million.
It didn’t go as expected because the injuries and players’ form ruined the season for the club and right at this very moment, they are struggling to finish their campaign inside the top 4.
The skipper Wayne Rooney has been constantly poor in front of the goal and making him play in almost all the available positions has made his goal scoring tenancies next to nil and they need a striker who has the experience and can guide the players on and off the field.
According to the latest reports, Zlatan Ibrahimovic has indicated a willingness to join Manchester United at the end of this season, but only if Louis van Gaal leaves the club this summer.
What if Zlatan arrives and partners up with Rooney?
Won’t it be one of the deadliest duos?
Well, only if Rooney comes back with his previous form because after all, Zlatan will ‘Die Young’.
Being 34, he hasn’t shown a sign of tirelessness. Rather, he is becoming a gem as he is getting older. In 26 appearances for the club in the league, the Swedish superstar has scored 30 goals and have 11 assists to his name. His contract will expire at the end of the season and I think, United should do everything to sign this player.
The player is tall, hence a good header of the ball. He is physically strong so, can easily cope with the pressure of the Premier League. He is one of the best finishers of the ball and has the vision of passing as well. He has a great ball control and excellent work rate. Ibrahimović is the only player to have scored for six different clubs in the Champions League. He can play anywhere on the front line and is capable of shooting the ball with both feet. He has the aggression and the arrogance through which he can bring back the magic at Old Trafford and I’m pretty sure, every United fan wants to see him at the club.
Wayne Rooney, on the other hand, is having a tough season mostly because of injuries and his poor form. A couple of seasons back, he was ‘The Man’ for the squad, but that has been changed. Talking technically, Rooney is capable of playing in every midfield and attacking positions and we have seen this time and time again. He is an energetic and a creative player who has a great strength. As he started his career at Old Trafford, he was deployed as a center forward but due to his vision and his passing abilities, he can now play as an attacking midfielder, a central box-to-box midfielder. He has been praised for his work rate and stamina and his goal scoring abilities from outside the box. Well, there is much more to tell about this prolific striker. How vicious he could be if he has a partner like Zlatan. He brings the power, he brings the aggression in the game which United are missing in their last 2-3 seasons.
If Zlatan joins United, I can surely say that the English skipper can form a lethal partnership with the Swedish.
The story is simple, Rooney is the maker, Zlatan is the scorer, that would work as simple as that. Anthony Martial and Juan Mata on the flanks, Rooney at number 10 and Zlatan as the lone striker. I know everyone would argue over Mata’s position but we have seen him play at the same position while he was in Chelsea. He has got a great ball control and a great vision to set up the goal and Ibrahimovic is the player that could match the finish as it has been delivered.
I personally think that if Zlatan arrives at the club then the three (Ibra, Rooney, Mata) can be a destructive combination.