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.
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.
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