[ad_1]
The summer of 2016 was very important for United.
It was the beginning of an exciting new era, with Mourinho strutting around town dressed in a black suit as Louis van Gaal’s successor.
Immediately, cash was spilled, unsurprisingly when the current Tottenham boss is involved.
United signed Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Paul Pogba from Villarreal, Borussia Dortmund and Juventus in that transfer window, ensuring it’s all about business.
But Ibrahimovic also arrived, bouncing off Old Trafford on a free transfer from Ligue 1 giant Paris Saint-Germain.
In his presentation, he insisted that he hadn’t gotten over it, that the Red Devils were winning a special striker with the pedigree to pull the side out of his slump.
And Ibrahimovic lived up to his own high turnover, looting 28 goals during his only full season at the club, launching them to EFL Cup and Europa League glory in the process.
Unfortunately, however, the Sweden international was unloaded ahead of schedule.
DO YOU THINK YOU KNOW SPORT? Test your sports knowledge with our complicated quiz
A serious knee injury caused Mourinho to discard Ibrahimovic in March 2018. With Romelu Lukaku now his main man, and Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford able to play in the middle as well, he was allowed to leave.
At the time, it made perfect sense. There are serious doubts that a player his age, who was 36 at the time, can respond to such a setback.
However, the answer has been a resounding yes.
Ibrahimovic moved to the LA Galaxy, where he went to America like a duck overboard, scoring 53 goals in 58 appearances during his time there.
And now, back at AC Milan, the 39-year-old continues to score goals.
United do not necessarily lose Ibrahimovic goals. Martial, Rashford and Mason Greenwood, as well as Edinson Cavani, give Solskjaer’s team plenty of firepower.
What they do miss, however, is the leadership and character of the Swedish international. He was contagious during his time at Carrington, and was admired by almost everyone.
DO NOT MISS
What Manchester United owner Joel Glazer thinks about replacing Solskjaer with Mauricio Pochettino
Man Utd transfer blow when Liverpool changes Jadon Sancho’s stance
Man Utd Ready to Unload Player No Longer Loved by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with Loan Eyes
Even now, they talk about him there. Lee Grant said earlier in the year: “All I heard in that first month or so, as I acclimatized, were stories about Zlatan.
“His time at the club had just ended but the guys talked about him constantly.
“‘Do you remember when Zlatan did this?’ Do you remember that he started doing this or that thing in training and was about to make him cry? ‘Do you remember what he does, the kung fu kick on his head?’ Do you remember that Zlatan scored that goal? Remember when she made that guy a nutmeg and took it whole?
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, who is this Zlatan character? But that’s how it was all the time.
“I met him in Los Angeles, but it was literally for five or ten minutes, just to say hello and ask how he enjoyed America and everything else.
“For me, just to see how the guys interacted with him. Big stars, well big stars for me, admiring the King! It was a great revelation. But he seemed like a very nice guy.
“In fact, I am disappointed that I did not have the opportunity to play with him myself. I played against him, of course. “
Premier League Deals – Every Transfer Confirmed in the Summer Window
Ibrahimovic was a warrior, something United sadly lacks today. Almost every pundit in the world has criticized the club for its lack of leaders and the Swedish international definitely ticks that box.
When he returned to Milan, he was joining a mediocre Italian team.
But their seven goals in five games this season mean they now dare to dream of Serie A glory for the first time since 2011, when Ibrahimovic led the line.
On Monday night, he bagged a double in a thrilling 3-3 draw with Roma.
And that means Milan have yet to lose in Serie A this season, with Ibrahimovic almost single-handedly raising the bar and winning over the best in those around him.
United are hopeful Cavani can be the next Ibrahimovic, having signed the Uruguayan international on a free transfer during the summer window.
But they still miss the authority of the real. Solskjaer is still suffering, with meager leaders at Old Trafford these days.
Get NOW TV Sky Sports Season Pass and save 25 percent
This article contains affiliate links, which means that we may receive a commission on any sale of products or services that we write about. This article was written completely independently, see more details here
[ad_2]
