Zlatan’s return to Manchester United: How much should he be involved?

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has miraculously recovered from an injury that would keep normal athletes out for a year at least; but then again, Zlatan isn’t human, is he?

Mourinho has been silent about his transfer target and has outright denied any speculation of a 4th being finalized before the transfer window shuts. But maybe the real work is being done behind the scenes as Di Marzio and other credible sources have confirmed United’s interest in offering Zlatan a coaching role apart from being an active squad player. Adidas UK accidentally put up Zlatan’s jersey with a #10 behind it in their United merchandise sales.

United’s target man last season had a disappointing end to an otherwise wholesome season with a knee injury sustained in United’s Europa League encounter with Anderlecht.

While this had an effect on United’s league campaign; Rashford and Rooney successfully managed to help their team cross the line at the end of the season.

Zlatan had been signed by United on a one year deal, and the injury meant termination of the contract as he could not contribute significantly; owing to his high wage bracket.

With a heavy injury and no expected return date; Manchester United fans bid adieu to the Zlatan-era.

The news of him returning to Carrington to regain fitness gave the theorists a sense of his revival into the first team. It now seems inevitable; and is just a question of when, rather than if, he puts pen to paper on a new United deal.

Rumors suggest that Zlatan will be tied down to a ‘pay as you play’ contract.

While he is a powerful goal-threat; his inclusion into the United squad has a few sceptics. He was, for most of last season, burdened with the responsibility of scoring goals. And while he did score plenty, he was equally guilty of missing a lot more. His tally of 28 could easily have crept into 40 goals had he been more clinical.

Another argument against his inclusion is the fact that for most of last season, Zlatan came deep into the midfield to play the ball around. If your #9 is in midfield, who will marshal the 6-yard box?

As much as United fans hate to admit it, Zlatan did slow down attacks. He can help himself with 50 goals, but that won’t shadow the fact that he will turn 36 this year. Zlatan may be a lion; but lions aren’t immortal.

Expecting him to deliver almost every time and everywhere; which he has been doing much, to everyone’s surprise, may seem to be a lost cause.

Given Zlatan’s stature, he would want to start every game. This might not hurt United, but it will hurt their momentum.

While his experience will do a world of good for Romelu Lukaku as he will learn the tricks of a #9 from the very best in the business; he’d be better suited to a bit-part role and the role of a mentor.
It will be interesting to see how Mourinho plans of using him. But the premonition of Zlatan putting on the United jersey is enough to scare off the other contenders.

Read: How Mourinho plans to use Mata and Mkhitaryan.