With three goals in two matches and two wins from as many games, Zlatan Ibrahimovic is thinking big at Old Trafford.
In the three seasons that were vacant since Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirement, the Manchester United were a shadow of their former selves. With David Moyes and then Louis van Gaal in charge, there was a distinct lack of identity and personality on the pitch – muddled ideals on how they saw their team playing was evident when 81 crosses were spammed into Fulham’s box or Ashley Young was playing as a lone striker.
However, now with José Mourinho taking charge and in the United dugout, things are immediately changing. They might have only played three games so far, but the mood surrounding Old Trafford is reminiscent of times under Ferguson.
With the help of Zlatan Ibrahimović, Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Paul Pogba, Manchester United now have personality and identity back in their team. A proper spine. Bailly might have been a very quiet signing, but the Ivorian is already proving pivotal in reclaiming the aura that lived and breathed at Old Trafford.
Noticeably, Mourinho has recruited three players that are all over 6 foot 2, and while that might not seem the most important characteristic about them, it’s obvious to see why the Portuguese boss has done it. Apart from Marouane Fellaini, David De Gea and Chris Smalling, there has been a prominent lack of height in Manchester United’s first-team for a number of years. How do you expect to be on the front-foot and possess authority over your opponents without the added value of height?
That’s not to say you should recruit 11 players based on their height, but there was a clear imbalance in the Red Devils’s team when it came stature. Now with Ibrahimović, Pogba and Bailly, that makes five out of the starting eleven to be over 6 foot 1.
When facing up in the dugout ready to go to war on the pitch, there’s a clear psychological advantage knowing that you’re bigger than the other team – it intimidates the opposition. It’s human nature. Perhaps a part of Manchester United’s timidness on the pitch in the last three years came to the fact there was no true authoritative leaders. Not only is there an increase in threatening aerial prowess, there are personalities and clear big game players. Pogba might only be 23-years-old, but he’s demanded a world-record fee of £89 million to release him from his Juventus contract and rejoin United. Pogba’s one of the best midfielders in the world and hasn’t even reached his peak yet; he’s a box-to-box, powerful midfielder that isn’t afraid to drive at the hearts of the opposition and a player that the Red Devils have longed for.
Zlatan Ibrahimović may well be the most important cog in José Mourinho’s plans so far. His ego is unrivalled, which is not always a good thing, and the presence he brings – not only in terms of height but also in terms of what he’s achieved and his global superstar status – is invaluable to this new era.
The Swede is a born winner and a natural leader, on and off the pitch. Wayne Rooney may have the armband, but it’s clear to see who’s the top dog at the club now – just look at who took the penalty versus Southampton on Friday night.
Manchester United are certainly not back to their full powers under Ferguson, not by any stretch, but there’s a distinguishable difference in their attitude and enjoyment on the pitch to anything we’ve seen in the last three years. There’s something palpable brewing in the atmosphere at Old Trafford and it could be rather special.
.Yahoo