Even though Zlatan Ibrahimovic came to Manchester United on a free transfer in July, he was dubbed as nothing more than a “luxury signing” for a club looking to rebuild. To many pundits, a one-year contract for a supposedly aging striker seemed like yet another short-sighted plan for a cash-rich club who should have been looking to build a squad for the future.
Some experts thumped their chests when bragging about the how the “physicality of the Premier League” would finally expose the then-34-year-old Swedish hitman. Even Ian Wright, a former striker who was a star in the league back in the day, doubted his potential for the Red Devils.
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How wrong they all were.
It is almost ridiculous that they simply ignored not only his record last season even if it was in Ligue 1 – a league that has lost its sheen since Paris Saint-Germain became a superpower – but also the fact that he has always adapted to any league he has played in. At 34, he had his most prolific season in club football last season, scoring 50 goals across all competitions for PSG. Even if his efficiency had dropped by half this season, 25 goals is no joke.
United desperately needed a goalscorer and they got one of the finest in Europe. The club’s top goalscorer in the league last season was Anthony Martial with only 11 goals (of course, Louis van Gaal’s archaic and sleep-inducing tactics may have been to blame). Martial was also the club’s top scorer in all competitions with 17 goals.
Ibrahimovic already has 16 to his name – including 11 in the league. All before Christmas.
“How old is he? 35? Jesus – he’s brilliant.” – West Brom goalkeeper Ben Foster
Ibrahimovic has filled a gaping hole at United
United have missed the services of a world class number 9 leading the line. While the no.9 shirt was unceremoniously taken from Martial and handed to Ibrahimovic this summer, there is no denying that it fits the scheme of things. Ibrahimovic commands authority and rightly so.
Very few players can get away with their larger-than-life persona off the pitch (he even announced his transfer before the club did!) and carry that flamboyance on the pitch, reminding their opponents exactly who they are dealing with. Ibrahimovic is one such player – and the world loves him for it.
Wayne Rooney is 31 and is already considered a spent force having seen his goalscoring rate and impact on the game dwindle in seasons past. Yet, he need look no further than the man up front to understand what it takes to play at the highest level when other players his age are looking for that one final fat paycheck before hanging up their boots.
Of course, that is not to say that Ibrahimovic will be finished once the 2016/17 season comes to an end. Having retired from international football after a dismal Euro 2016, he has more time on his hands to recover after every game. Mourinho himself is confident his main man will extend his contract to stay at Old Trafford till the summer of 2018.
“We are going to execute the option of a second season,” the Portuguese manager said in November. “After that, he can do what he wants.”
“I feel in shape, feel fresh and good,” Ibrahimovic had said. “If I feel like I do now, it will be a second year.”
The man is an honorary black belt in taekwondo and that makes it abundantly clear why he is still as flexible and limber as any other striker at his peak. One could say that he was still at his peak had he not suffered a mini-drought between mid-September and early November (barring a Europa League goal against the indomitable FC Zorya Luhansk in that 11-game run).
Ibrahimovic offers United a lot but he must rein himself in at times
While Rooney can learn to take care of his body like Ibrahimovic has, the youngsters such as Martial and Marcus Rashford can learn a lot more if they wish to start up front. Ibrahimovic’s positioning in the box has been a breath of fresh air for what was a very static attack under Van Gaal. Constantly on the move, he has the centre-backs sweating and looking over their shoulder.
The way Ibrahimovic drops deep has also been instrumental in creating chances. When he senses a gap between the lines, he lingers back, allowing the (ever-changing) wide men to strut their stuff. 25 key passes this season (the same as Diego Costa) shows he can pick a pass when needed. Among the top goalscorers in the league, only Alexis Sanchez has more (44 key passes). But, then again, the Chilean is not a traditional no.9.
Ibrahimovic has consolidated his spot and delivered for a manager he holds in the highest regard. But his discipline has been an issue he has struggled to sort out. He has already served a suspension after getting booked five times, thereby missing the chance to battle an old foe in Arsene Wenger.
His last booking against West Brom, a rather impetuous shoulder barge on Craig Dawson, was uncalled for and he was lucky to stay on the pitch. If the physicality of the league was an obstacle in the way, Ibrahimovic has vaulted over it with a little too much enthusiasm.
The sarcastic comment on his fifth booking showed he was yet to come to terms with the league and the officiating. “I thought in England we play rough, no? That’s what I heard,” he said when defending himself. “Every time I've tried to play rough I get a yellow card.”
That is one factor Mourinho will have to work on. No other manager may be able to convince him to mellow down while simultaneously keeping his fighting spirit intact.
Nevertheless, he has succeeded in integrating Ibrahimovic into the lineup and managing his minutes in spite of starting him in midweek Europa League and EFL Cup games. After 27 games in all competitions, it is incredible that he has managed to play the full 90 minutes in 22 games so far – another testament to his supreme fitness.
Will Ibrahimovic extend his contract?
So how long will Ibrahimovic stay on at Old Trafford? Currently, in the push for a top four finish, Mourinho would like to keep him at the club should they qualify for the Champions League – a competition the nomadic Ibrahimovic has never won with the other seven clubs he has played for.
“The older I get, the better I get, like red wine. You like red wine? I'm a perfect example of that,” Ibrahimovic claimed.
“I'm settling in. I feel happy, I feel good. Even if I'm 35, in my mind I'm 20. I think I could play also at 50, but it's not down to me.”
The Premier League has always wanted a player like Ibrahimovic. One more year of the Swedish striker would not just improve the league and the club’s marketability. He would be a genuine threat and goalscorer who would be hard to replace in the lineup.
