Why Manchester United Shouldn’t Sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Manchester United need a striker this summer but must look beyond the mercurial Swede.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to leave Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but for various reasons, Manchester United shouldn’t sign him.

A player older than every current squad member at United, with the exception of Michael Carrick, Ibrahimovic is nearing the end of his career.

The 34-year-old’s list of clubs in the last decade includes Juventus, Internazionale, Barcelona, AC Milan and PSG. His next move may very well be his last. That’s why the Premier League seems his likely destination – a crazy league would suit a crazy player.

Naturally, those in favour of United landing Ibrahimovic on a free transfer point to the success Robin van Persie had in his first season at the club. An aging striker, yes, but he was the driving force behind Sir Alex Ferguson’s 13^th and final Premier League title.

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Ibrahimovic’s numbers also stack up. In four years at PSG, he has scored 105 goals in 117 Ligue 1 games. The worry, though, is whether such a remarkable record would translate to success in England.

Handily enough, Ibrahimovic faced Chelsea and Manchester City twice during PSG’s run to the quarter-finals of the Champions League this season. In those four matches, there were glimpses of the talent the Swede unquestionably possesses.

He was instrumental in the win at Stamford Bridge, creating the first goal and scoring the second to knock Chelsea out of the competition. However, against City, he missed a number of key chances in the home leg, got lucky to score a comedic goal to make it 1-1, and was practically anonymous in the away leg.

At the Etihad Stadium, playing against Nicolas Otamendi and Eliaquim Mangala, who have both struggled this season, the Swede was uninspiring. Other than two well-struck free-kicks that Joe Hart dealt with fairly comfortably, he failed to impose himself on the game.

Against City, as he usually does, Ibrahimovic had no interest in playing on the last shoulder to drift in behind the defence, preferring instead to operate in a slightly deeper role. At the highest level, that makes it easier for defenders to do their jobs.

With the ball at his feet, Ibrahimovic can do just about anything: lash in a shot from 30 yards, pull off an audacious back heel, or nonchalantly stroll about until he decides it’s someone else’s turn to have possession.

Off the ball, Ibrahimovic offers so very little. He’s not the type of player to make unselfish off-the-ball runs, nor does he provide much in the way of work-rate.

Parallels can be drawn between Ibrahimovic and Dimitar Berbatov. Like the former United man, the Swede is a languid striker who plays almost solely in front of defences and relies on his technical ability rather than athleticism.

There is a lethargic style about his play that is simultaneously endearing and frustrating at the same time.

While there is little doubt that Ibrahimovic is a superb player in his own right, the ultimate question is whether he is what United really need at this point – and the answer is a resounding no.

The only way it would make sense is if United sold Wayne Rooney and signed Ibrahimovic to be the experienced head in an otherwise vibrant, youthful attack.

Even then, the cons arguably outweigh the pros.

In the last two seasons, United’s forward line has been woefully short on pace and energy. Opponents have figured out that defending deep and playing on the counter-attack is the way to go against Louis van Gaal’s side.

Obviously, with the Dutchman expected to be sacked and replaced by Jose Mourinho this summer, United’s style of football will change.

But United would be better off targeting a younger, more athletic forward, perhaps in the form of someone like Romelu Lukaku. Ibrahimovic lacks the pace and dynamism usually associated with Premier League football, whereas the Belgian exemplifies it.

Ibrahimovic’s leisurely approach also stands in direct contrast to the success Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur have had by playing fast, incisive football this season.

He could sign for United and be a revelation for a season or two. In that case, it’s hard to argue against the deal, particularly as there is no transfer fee. However, it’s questionable that the eccentric Swede would be a revelation on account of his age, unimpressive physical attributes and performances in the bigger games for PSG this season.

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United could do a lot worse than to sign Ibrahimovic on a free transfer, but the feeling is that they could also do a lot better, both in the short term and long term.