21 Aug 2017 10:22:02
Step backwards if we resign Zlatan for me. I read somewhere he's a like for like replacement for Lukaku should he get injured. He's nothing like Lukaku. Zlatan drops deep constantly occupying the space that Miki and Pogba want to be in. Can't play off the shoulder stretching the defence as Lukaku can. Miki is one of our best players and will score and assist bucket loads if he keeps his place centrally. If he's shafted out wide to accomadate Zlatan I'll be livid. He scored plenty but was detrimental to the attack imo. Slowed everything down to much. Really see this as a stupid move.


1.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 10:41:39
Stand it wouldn't be my first choice nor my second but I can why Jose may want him. That extra piece of experience might be what is needed to get this squad across the line. He offers a different option similar to Fellaini when the game plan must change.

As long as Zlatan is coming in to demand a first place berth I can see why it could be good business. Personally I still want to see either Rash or Martial through the middle throughout this season but again they are a more similar option to Lukaku than that of Ibrahimovic.


2.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 10:47:26
Completely agree Stand, if he sits in the bench and is an impact sub then I kind of get it but I worry what it will do to the new approach we seem to have adopted. I really don't know why we would do this.


3.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 10:49:21
Stand,

Zlatan stood up to be counted and scored big goals in big games, as long as he is happy not being first choice and has agreed to a significant wage cut then I see it as a very good move, lukaku can't play every game and you are never going to get a player as good and exactly the same style to fill in when he is rested or injured so someone who guarantees goals and who the other players like and respect works for me.


4.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 11:09:28
Hit the nail on the head there gds2

We would be stupid not to take the option to 're sign him.

He's a big character in the dressing room and last season he proved he can handle English football.

We don't have many experienced players in our squad and he is one that would give martial and Rashford and even lukaku advise to make them better players.

If the rash and martial are being played out wide. It makes perfect sense to 're sign ibra as our back up striker.

If we want to be challenging on all fronts we need a big squad which can be rotated from time to time.


5.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 11:21:32
Does anyone genuinly belive he will sit on the bench for the majority of games? I don't. Plus look how we have finished teams off in the last 15 minutes these last two games. When the opposition are tired we have counter attacked with the pace of rash/ martial, Miki and Lukaku. Zlatan won't be involved in any of that.


6.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 11:28:11
I think he would be good to bring on for a goal if needed instead of someone like Fellaini. But yeh i'm not to sure Zlatan would stand for not starting.

Time will tell.


7.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 11:40:51
If and only if he is to be an impact sub/ squad rotation option then it could be beneficial.

But up until he got injured last season he was the only player to play every minute of our season he was available for. So history suggests he will play more often than not. Which is the worry. We have played better not just this season but even in the last few games of last season with Zlatan out of the line up.

He did score important goals for us last season, he also missed several as well. He had the worst conversion rate amongst all of Europe's top goal scorers last season.

He was a vacuum for our chances. With no one even close to getting as many shots per game as Zlatan last season. He averaged just over 6 shots per game, Rashford who was out second highest average shooter managed less than 2.
Compare that to this season and in two games Lukaku has three goals, Pogba and Martial has 2 a piece and Bailly has even got in on the act. Four different goalscorers in two games.

With Zlatan in the team the team has to be set up entirely around him and if he is on form we will win. With Lukaku in the team instead and suddenly we look like a team with threats all over the field. A multifaceted team where marking one player out of the team only opens up space for someone else just as dangerous.

I think the team has evolved past the need for a Zlatan type player.

If he is to sign in to continue his rehab and offer experience in the changing room with maybe a few cameo appearances later in the season once he is fully recovered then great. But if he is coming in to be a key player then it is a backwards step.


8.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 12:22:06
Does anyone really think Zlatan will be happy to be an impact sub?

Best case is he isn't a starter and throws a massive strop.

Worst case is that he is a starter and becomes a massive barrier to us progressing this season.


9.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 12:34:51
Shappy and Danny, bang on the money. This will be a monumental mistake. He won't be happy playing ten mins here and there and when he's an the pitch the likes of Pogba etc do nothing but look for him and him only. He hinders the likes of Rashford and Miki . I just can't understand it.


10.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 12:43:26
Perhaps we should trust that the manager knows what he is doing with this one and not slag it off before it has happened? There are a lot of 'ifs' I've noticed in all of you saying it's a dreadful move. For me having as many top players in the squad the better.

If he comes in, drops lukaku to the bench and we start drawing all of our home games then it's probably time to slag it off but it seems to me Jose knows what he is doing and I trust if he wants zlatan that he will use him right, perhaps in a similar role to how Rooney was used last season. That would suit me.


11.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 13:13:00
I think Jose knows what he's doing here. Just because Ibra is slower than the rest, doesn't mean scoring off the break will stop. It means Ibra will get into the box later than the rest. When we need that goal and they have 11 parking the bus, Fellaini and Ibra on for Mata and Herrera. Two extra threats in the box.


12.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 13:37:14
Over the last few years I'v felt a bit let down by our club in the way that some of our players left tbh. Warriors for us over the years like vidic Ferdinand evra (there is more) without a proper send off to show what they have meant to us and our club. stuff like the way bastian had appeared to be treated left our club appearing to lack the class and loyalty we've always had. My point in this thread is that I'm happy we've stood by zlatan with his injury when we really didn't have to, he was good for us last year and while I agree that he slows our game down I'm happy for this little touch of class keeping faith with him.


13.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 14:00:18
Ibra is a big game player, Lukaku is a flatrack bully (apparently) .

Could be a great combo, Lukaku has no back up and if he gets injured Rashfords finishing isn't going get the results we need.

We also need to replace Rooney.

Also we should be playing 60 games this season.

More excited if Ryan Sessegnon comes tbh.


14.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 15:20:55
I worry he may play Zlatan at 10 and shift Miki right. Ultimately it'll be Mata who loses his place.
Hope I'm wrong but I can't see Ibra being content as an impact sub or squad player and not starting the big games.


15.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 15:32:22
If lukaku got injured I would much rather give martial or Radford game time

Plan and build for the future.


16.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 17:23:51
Utd Road,

We have no back up to Lukaku? Have you not seen Rashford and martial then? Zlatan had the worst shot conversion rate in the league last year I think. Would Martial not have scored the same number of goals playing week in week out through the middle?

As for we need to replace Rooney, he was non existant as a goal threat the last 3/ 4 years. He doesn't need replacing at all. Zlatan won't be a ten minute impact sub. And to be honest the two games we have played an blown the opposition away this season have been down to sheer pace and power. That isn't Zlatan so why would we bring him on to influence games late on? He stifles Mikis game too.

Gds, Jose knows best, sure. He knows far more Jan the rest of us. It doesn't mean every move he makes is the correct one. In hindsight was Zlatan a good signing? I'm not so sure. He held us back imo and I think had we of signed a Lukaku, aubameyang, etc we would have finished higher up the table. Rather than just fill the bench for the sake of it I'd rather give a place to the likes of Pierera.


17.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 17:40:32
Have a feeling Ibra will play alongside Lukaku or just behind, meaning Mikhitaryan taking Mata's spot. Just a feeling.


18.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 17:59:07
If Jose cannot sort the right side issue which Mata is filling in for (for now), then he'll look to what he already has at his disposal. With Ibra coming in he may opt to use Miki on the right as he's a better fit than Mata and use Ibra just behind Lukaku. I'm not entirely sure, but it seems plausible to me. Although Ibra isn't fit for a while yet so this is something that won't happen for a couple months I'd imagine.


19.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 19:25:24
Stand

What's Rashfords shot conversion ratio this season 😂

Zlatan had a low ratio as he took free kicks and long shots. I'm by no means his biggest fan but think he can offer something this season.

Martial had plenty of opportunities last season and score f all the season before he scrapped double digits. Bags of talent but not consistent. I am a big fan of his but everyone who moans about Lingard starting ahead of him need to look at Martial. He also plays from the left and isn't a target man so that's my thinking.


20.) 21 Aug 2017
21 Aug 2017 20:40:22
8 goals 2 games maybe we don't need ibra .
Rash looks the real deal but only got a chance due to injuries .
1 give the likes of rash and martial a chance
2 block there development with a 36 year of big name coming back from a ACL .

Build for the future give youth a chance, 2 great talents in rash and martial give them a chance before ibra imo.