5 reasons why Manchester United should bring back Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Zlatan Ibrahimovic signed for Manchester United on 1 July 2016 on a free transfer amidst huge fanfare. He had his share of critics and doubters; several news outlets opined he was past his best. Over the next nine months, Zlatan did what he has done his entire career – silence his naysayers.

His goal won Manchester United the 2016 FA Community Shield against Leicester City. He scored on his Premier League debut and a brace on his Old Trafford debut. He went on to score 17 goals in the league and 28 goals across all competitions.

On 26 February 2017, Ibrahimovic scored two goals in the EFL Cup final to clinch United’s fifth League Cup. He was included in the six-player shortlist for PFA Player of the Year and named in the UEFA Europa League Squad of the Season.

It seemed only a matter of time before Zlatan extended his Manchester United contract by at least one year. Jose Mourinho publicly approved of his mooted contract extension. Zlatan was still playing at the highest level and a large payday in China or US still seemed a long way away. Then came that fateful day on 20 April 2017.

Ibrahimovic suffered ligament damage in his right knee in the Europa League quarter final against Anderlecht at Old Trafford. The injury ruled him out of action at least until the end of 2017. What seemed unthinkable a few months ago turned into the only logical conclusion - Manchester United released Zlatan at the end of the season.

Yet, it seems the Zlatan-United story is yet to run its full course. After Lukaku’s signing was confirmed, Mourinho told reporters, “We spent because of what happened to Zlatan and we cannot allow ourselves to be without an important, strong striker for the first six months of the season.”

Whoa, hold it right there. For the first six months of the season? That is, till the Swede becomes available again? Surely you don’t mean to say...

On that note, here are five reasons why Manchester United should bring back Zlatan Ibrahimovic:

#1 To avoid over reliance on Lukaku

Lukaku is United's only recognised striker

Last season, United struggled to break down teams that visited Old Trafford with the intention of defending staunchly and earning a point. The patterns were strikingly similar time and again – 1-1 Stoke, 0-0 Burnley, 1-1 West Ham, 0-0 Hull, 1-1 Bournemouth, 0-0 West Brom, and 1-1 Swansea.

It is clear that United need a striker like Lukaku to turn these draws into wins.

However, they cannot risk suffering a patchy run of form if Lukaku were to be unavailable for a sustained period of time. United’s reliance on Ibrahimovic last term was glaringly obvious – no other player scored even half as many as Zlatan’s 28 goals across all competitions.

Signing the 35-year-old would free up the pressure on Lukaku - and it will be a formidable duo for Premier League defences to keep at bay.

#2 Griezmann might be available next summer

Antoine Griezmann might be available next summer

Well then, you say. If United would be better off with a supporting cast to Lukaku, why not someone who could do the job long term as well? Say, someone like Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang? Money is definitely not the deterrent; United have flexed their financial muscle enough over the past few years to rule that theory out.

Step in Antoine Griezmann. At one point during the summer, Griezmann himself reportedly said there was a six out of 10 chance he could move to Old Trafford. Atletico’s transfer ban though meant such a move was out of the question for this window at least. But since United continue to be favourites to land him when he does become available, it doesn’t make any sense to splurge on any one else at the moment.

Sign Ibrahimovic up for one season, bide your time, get Griezmann in when he becomes available next summer. So perfect in theory (If only the transfer market was that simple).

#3 Commercial considerations

Ibrahimovic is one of the most popular players in the world

Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s name featured on the 2nd most widely sold jersey in all of the Premier League last season. Trumped only by Paul Pogba on the list, the tall stocky Swede is a PR dream. Ibrahimovic is one of the most popular football players in the entire world.

Over to Nike, one of the world’s largest suppliers of sports equipment. “Nike’s ‘Dare to Zlatan’ campaign celebrates the fearless attitude of one of the world’s most iconic players and in doing so, inspires the next generation of young footballers to play without restraint,” they were quoted saying back in March 2014.

#4 Winning mentality and impact on Rashford

Marcus Rashford would benefit from Ibrahimovic's presence

“No other forward in the world could have come in and helped me learn so much. There is no body else that we could have learned that much about football and mentality than him,” said Rashford of Ibrahimovic in April. True that.

At this stage of his career, it would be invaluable for a young Rashford to get another season under his belt with Ibrahimovic alongside him. Not just Rashford, the sheer drive and winning mentality of Ibrahimovic would rub off on the rest of the squad as well.

With Wayne Rooney having departed, Jose would be wise not to risk running short of characters in the dressing room.

#5 Zlatan keeps getting better with age

Zlatan keeps getting better with age

Okay, it can be a little difficult to completely comprehend this stat. Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored 232 goals in 528 appearances before turning 30. After turning 30, he went on to score his next 250 in just 308 appearances.

Conventional wisdom suggests strikers peak around the age of 27. Yet in Zlatan, we have an incredible footballing specimen who simply seems to get better with age. This is a player who keeps improving tactically, uses his strength to great effect and overcomes his lack of pace with his positioning and intelligent runs.

Feel free to write off Zlatan after this latest horrendous injury – but do it at your own risk.