Manchester United’s Swede sensation Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been released by the club after a heavy injured ruled the striker out until November but will they regret this decision?
Although many didn’t expect Ibrahimovic to stay too long at Old Trafford, a single season wasn’t what was predicted either. The man who single-handedly won Manchester United the EFL cup and Community Shield will no longer ply his trade for Jose Mourinho who decided against renewing the player’s contract.
It’s a bit shocking to see him move on so soon but it’s also possible that Zlatan refused to renew his contract. Not only because it was rumoured that he was offered an extension before his horrible injury but also because the former PSG man did state that he would only renew if he still felt useful to the team.
There’s a feeling that the talismanic forward served his purpose and it would appear that Ibrahimovic thinks so too. There’s also the chance that he missed out on his opportunity to extend his stay at Manchester United by delaying the contract he was offered before his terrible injury.
Either way, regardless of circumstances, Jose must be thinking whether he’ll miss the man who served him so well before at different clubs. The likelihood, however, is that the team will move on from Zlatan relatively easily. Not only were there encouraging signs from youngster Rashford leading the line towards the end of the season but Ibrahimovic seemed to occasionally hold the team back at times.
Yes his contribution was incredible and he beat expectations but he was also incredibly frustrating at times. It was at these times that the competitive striker seemed to show his age most. With his injury at his age, it’s really unlikely that he will still be the same. He may recover well enough to still have a career but his ability without a doubt would drop.
If rumours are to be believed too the Zlatan was on some pretty high wages for a player his age. If both Rooney and Ibrahimovic move on during this summer window then the wages freed up should help Mourinho vastly with his targeted players. The team are in the Champions League too now so the quality really needs to be stepped up and with an inflated transfer market, every penny will help.
Had the former Juventus man continued at Manchester United into next season, there’s concerns he would’ve held back Rashford and Martial’s developed in an even more crucial year for the pair. His experience and leadership was needed to help steer the ship but after doing so successfully this season, it doesn’t seem like he has more to contribute.
Mourinho also has to be ruthless when deciding who to sell and who to keep. There cannot be any room for sentimentally and it seems like Jose hasn’t allowed any anyways. It makes more sense to do what the boss is rumoured to be doing anyways and sign another proven striker who can seriously compete with Rashford and Martial. It’ll bring the best out of all three.
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It’s a credit to Ibrahimovic too that he’d rather bow out having served his purpose and winning trophies than become a bench-warmer next season. He’s also quite quickly cemented his place in Manchester United’s history so what more could he ask for? Without a doubt, he would be seen as the turning point in the club’s era. Here’s hoping both Ibrahimovic and United have great seasons next year.