Have the club disrespected Martial?

   Anthony Martial is aggravated with the club after he found out that he would wear the number 11 next season, and new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic will take his number. Thus, he unfollowed the club on Twitter and Instagram and ignited waves of excitement from Arsenal, Liverpool and Man City fan's, deluded enough to think that Martial will leave the club. Changing a players number should never really become a big thing for supporters or for the player themselves. In my opinion players should focus more on playing for what is on the front of the shirt, than what is on the back. Besides, it's not like the club have given Martial number 39, which would signify that Martial may not be a first team player this season, he now has number 11, an iconic United number previously worn by none other than Ryan Giggs.

Martial was formidable last season.

   It is definitely a childish act from Martial, and he shouldn't make such a big deal out of his number being changed surely? One of the reasons why Martial may have or may be starting to make a big deal out of the number change is the recent launch of his own brand focusing on headphones, underwear and football boots, called 'AM9'. Whereas I can kind of understand why he might be a bit annoyed about the inconvenience it causes that he is now number 11 not 9, I am sure Martial can find the pennies to be able to hire another web specialist to redesign his very new brand, and be able to find the money to re produce his new products. Martial was also number 26 for a period of time at his previous club Monaco, and he is also number 11 for the French national team, so surely number 9 cannot mean that much to him? The Young forward may have got the motivation of launching his 'AM9' brand from Cristiano Ronaldo's 'CR7' brand, but in my opinion it is foolish to base a brand on a number that you are wearing, especially when you are a young footballer like Martial who is not culturally known for being number 9 like Ronaldo is number 7. 

Martial recently launched his brand, 'AM9'.

   However, Sir Alex Ferguson famously once said: 'No player is ever bigger than the club'. But giving Ibrahimovic the number nine shirt that was already vacant, may be a sign that these values are starting to become irrelevant. Especially as Sir Alex Ferguson still plays a significant part at the club, you would have thought he would have had his say on giving the number 9 to Ibrahimovic. As good a signing as Ibrahimovic is for United, I think its a bit harsh that a player who previously had no affiliation to United can come and take the shirt number off a player who last season was so fantastic and played crucial part for United. For me, its another example of a situation that has been handled poorly by the club, and communication between senior officials and the player were not good enough, and Martial should have definitely been informed of the number change before the media were allowed to expose it. Ibrahimovic also may have taken Martial's number 9 shirt due to shirt sale reasons. Giving Ibrahimovic a number that is not vacant would have put some customers off buying the Ibrahimovic kit and thus his sales may have slightly dropped.  

   So what happens next? Martial requests a transfer? Moves to Arsenal? Absolutely not. I don't think much should be made of what has happened with this 'Shirt Number Gate'. I think the whole thing will die down and it will be forgotten once he scores goal after goal in his new number 11 shirt next season. Only if Martial does not get the starts that he deserves should it then become an issue. He should be one of the first players on the team sheet come the first game against Bournemouth come August 14th and I believe he will be. I think Martial will play predominantly on the left wing under Mourinho, and the number 11 also suits the position on left winger, as us United fans only know too well.

Premier League: Welcome to Zlatan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has officially been announced as a Manchester United player. If all Mourinho does is bring Zlatan to United and maybe win a few games of footy, united fans have a reason to be happy. 'I would die for Mourinho', the famous words that Zlatan echoed after his turbulent relationship with now City manager, Pep Guardiola. Zlatan's reunion with Mourinho is nothing short of a dream, but will this dream turn into a nightmare for United? 

It is a perfect situation for United, for years they have lacked a striker with the aura that Zlatan has. Comparisons must be made with Eric Cantona, and Zlatan is also probably as likely to infamously kick out at a fan. Yes he isn't everyone's cup of tea, but one thing no one can dispute about Zlatan is simply; he lives and breathes success. The only place he has not won a league title was in his Malmo FF days in Sweden, oh and they were relegated in that season, so that doesn't really count. It's not a coincidence that he has managed to win titles in all of the top European league's, and although everyone always doubts whether he will achieve in the Premier League, I think he will surprise a few people, and there are more than a few who are already doubting him.

Okay last season he won the league in a division so one sided PSG could have played with 9 men all season and still won it. But people are quick to forget that in his 'worst season' as a player at Barcelona he still scored 16 goals and 7 assists, and also bearing in mind he massively fell out with Guardiola and spent most of that season on the bench. What a Manchester derby we have in store next season. The physicality of the Premier League is often where the doubters start their argument, and I think with some players this definitely affects their potential of success in the premier league. I think the physicality of the league is what drove players like Angel Di Maria away from United, but Zlatan is as physical as anyone, and if anything the only worry is that he will be too physical. Ibrahimovic will handle the premier league, after growing up in one of the toughest neibourhoods in Sweden, being intimidated by tough premier league defenders won't even make Zlatan wince.

Rashford and Martial will be the first players in the current squad to benefit from the arrival of Ibrahimovic. The swede has done it all, he's won golden boots, keys to Paris, and even scored a 35 yard overhead kick against England. The experience that comes with Zlatan is going to be vital in furthering the careers of Rashford and Martial, already very capable players, but having Zlatan in and around the squad their overall forward game will naturally improve. I would have even been in favour of offering Zlatan a coaching role if he wasn't still a very capable striker. He's a one of a kind, different to any other striker on the planet. Rashford will also benefit as he wont be in the limelight as much and he may not have to start every game for United as of next season. This will allow him to naturally develop more and not burn out.

There has to be some focus on the financial advantages of the deal. I don't like the power that money has over modern football but it cannot be ignored. If 500,000 shirts are sold worldwide, which is probably a humble guess, that's probably around £10 Million in profit instantly. There is also the endless merchandising opportunities that accomplice and individual like Zlatan, who is a global icon. To get someone as talented and as proven as Zlatan on a free would be lucrative for any club in world football. The only potential downside to this deal would be that he may cause friction in the squad, especially if Rooney is shunted from the team. Zlatan is a fiery character and if anyone gives him a reason to be confrontational, he will jump at the chance. But with Zlatan's slightly creepy respect and admiration for Mourinho he may be respectful of not causing tension and friction amongst the squad.

It was the worst kept secret of the summer but that still does not take away the excitement of Zlatan's arrival. Fans and pundits alike always question United's ability to attract top players when they aren't in the champions league, but is Zlatan isn't a top player, I don't know who is.