Zlatan Ibrahimovic embodies Manchester United’s woes – is it time to drop him?

Ibrahimovic is failing not only by his own standards but relative to the leading strikers at the top title contenders and José Mourinho may benefit from using Marcus Rashford in the central attacking role.

n an age of single-striker systems Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s Premier League goal drought may have already ended Manchester United’s title hopes. This is the stark truth of the one-up-top ploy adopted by those with championship pretensions: the centre-forward has to deliver in most games.

Ibrahimovic is not doing so. He last scored in the league five weeks ago and José Mourinho’s side are eight points from the summit after 10 matches.

Compare this with the top four’s No9s. Sergio Agüero’s double in Manchester City’s 4-0 win at West Bromwich Albion on Saturday made it seven goals in seven league starts. Pep Guardiola’s team have 23 points and lead Arsenal and Liverpool on goal difference.

Alexis Sánchez has six in nine starts as the Gunners’ main man. At Liverpool Roberto Firmino has four in nine and Diego Costa’s eight in 10 for Chelsea have been key in their rise to fourth. They are seven points ahead of United, who, never mind a 21st title, appear outsiders for a Champions League finish.

Ibrahimovic has four in 10 games, half that of Costa, the Premier League’s leading scorer. The Swede last netted on 10 September when he pulled a goal back for United in the 42nd minute of the Manchester derby at Old Trafford. The 35-year-old had two further chances before the break. He missed and a goalless sequence of 498 minutes began.

Ibrahimovic was signed by Mourinho as his totem – the man to personify the Portuguese’s muscular style who would do for United’s attack what Didier Drogba did for Chelsea when Mourinho led them to consecutive Premier League titles in 2005 and 2006.

The Swede, though, has come to be the unwanted embodiment of United’s woes. As his fortunes have gone south, so have the team’s.

United have not won in the league for more than a month – the 4-1 victory against Leicester City on 24 September. They have not scored for four weeks – Anthony Martial’s goal in the 1-1 draw with Stoke City on 2 October. The last time they scored away was on 18 September – Marcus Rashford’s goal in a 3-1 defeat at Watford.

In a particularly disappointing outing against Sean Dyche’s Burnley on Saturday, United had 37 shots of which 12 were Ibrahimovic’s. Yet still he failed. At the end at Old Trafford the veteran striker could have sealed a precious three points when Paul Pogba found him near Tom Heaton’s goal but Ibrahimovic choked once more.

It was the same tale at Anfield in the 0-0 draw with Liverpool a fortnight ago when a Pogba cross fell to him. Sandwiched between was a missed chance to equalise at Chelsea that might have stopped United being routed.

In all competitions Ibrahimovic has only one goal in his past 10 appearances – the winner against Zorya in the Europa League at Old Trafford on 29 September. He has scored once on the road all campaign, in the opening weekend 3-1 win at Bournemouth.

These are awful figures for a footballer who trumpeted his arrival at the club with the declaration: “I am coming.” Ibrahimovic may need a second one if the barren run continues, though the issue might be one he can do nothing about: age.

It is a struggle to recall any champion side being spearheaded by a striker in his 36th year. No reminder is required of how the Premier League is a more attritional test than Ligue 1, where Ibrahimovic operated in the previous four seasons with Paris Saint-Germain.

The statistics show how difficult he is finding the gulf between English and French football. In 31 PSG appearances last season Ibrahimovic scored 38 times, or every 67.2 minutes. In 2014-15 it was 19 in 24 outings at 105.4 minutes; 2013-14 was his poorest but the rate was still 26 in 33 – every 106.5 minutes; and in his opening PSG term his 30 in 34 came at a goal every 99.1 minutes.

At United the ratio is a goal every 225 minutes. Last season Ibrahimovic provided 13 assists for PSG, to follow six, 11 and eight. There have been zero for United.

He has become a peripheral figure. It appears time to drop him. Marcus Rashford’s three goals in six starts is a better ratio and have come despite him being deployed out wide. The 19-year-old’s cocktail of raw speed, trickery and finishing ability is unique in United’s squad and a central role may give them the X-factor so desperately needed.

After the goalless draw with Burnley, Ander Herrera said: “I was speaking with Juan [Mata] and we both agreed we have never experienced something like that on the pitch. We controlled the game for 90 minutes and to not score is unbelievable.”

The words underline the fact that United’s issue is not creating chances but finishing them. This is the precise role Ibrahimovic was hired for. His most fallow run since 2007 comes as his manager’s fight to arrest the side’s listing form caused him to be sent to the stands on Saturday.

For this Mourinho is facing a Football Association charge of verbally abusing Mark Clattenburg, the referee. He is already in trouble for comments made about Anthony Taylor, the match official, before the draw at Liverpool.

None of this would matter if United were winning. For victory they need goals. Now Mourinho has to decide whether he can trust Ibrahimovic to start supplying them.

More games: friv

Zlatan Ibrahimovic hails 'masterbrain' Jose Mourinho

Jose Mourinho was key to persuading Zlatan Ibrahimovic to move to England, as the Swedish icon felt no need to play in the Premier League.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has credited Jose Mourinho as the decisive factor in persuading him to bring his stellar career to the Premier League, claiming he previously rejected moves to England's top flight on two occasions.

Ibrahimovic headed the winner in Manchester United's Community Shield victory over Leicester City and has scored three times in as many Premier League matches to prove an instant hit with the Old Trafford faithful.

The 34-year-old was only compelled to move to England following a decorated stint at Paris Saint-Germain – where he became the club's all-time record goalscorer amid an unprecedented period of success for the Ligue 1 champions – when his former Inter boss Mourinho succeeded Louis van Gaal at United.

"I was close two times to moving to the Premier League - once with Arsenal and then Manchester City," he told reporters.

"But it never happened and I don't need to play in the Premier League."

On Mourinho, he added: "He is the mastermind, the masterbrain.

"He knows what he needs to do to win. I learned a lot from him at Inter. Who wouldn't want to have Mourinho as manager."

Ibrahimovic is set to lead the line in his first Manchester derby when United host City at Old Trafford next Saturday.

Where have Zlatan Ibrahimovic's tattoos gone? Man United star looks a little different in Instagram video

Ibrahimovic is known for his love of tattoos but he looked extremely tattoo-less in a video he uploaded to Instagram this week.

There were plenty of raised eyebrows this week when Zlatan Ibrahimovic posted a video of himself playing football on a beach.

The first question was: Why is he not on pre-season duty with Manchester United?

And the second was: Where on earth have all of his tattoos gone?

Well, United boss Jose Mourinho addressed the first issue during a press conference in China on Thursday, as he explained why Ibrahimovic was still on holiday while a number of Euro 2016 stars who went further in the competition than him were back on club duty.

"The best suits are the suits by measure," Mourinho explained at a press conference in Shanghai on Thursday. "There are no two players the same.

"My decision on Zlatan is the consequence of many hours of study, analysis and discussion with my staff. Despite the fact he was out of the Euros one match before the English guys, everything is different."

Ibrahimovic appears a lot barer on the left than he does on the right

After Mourinho went to the trouble of answering the first question, we thought we'd answer the second for you.

Ibrahimovic was snapped after a PSG game in 2015 covered in tattoos, but the truth is that most of them were temporary.

He had the names of 15 people suffering from hunger and famine tattooed onto his upper body in a bid to raise global awareness of the issue.

Ibrahimovic had a number of temporary tattoos plastered onto him last year

At the time, he said: “I had 15 removable tattoos on my body, they are the names of real people who are suffering from hunger in the world.

“Those tattoos have gone now, these people are still here. I hope that you can see them through me.”

Ibrahimovic does still have a number of permanent tattoos, but they are all on his arms and down the side of his torso, which is perhaps why they aren't clearly visible in the video he uploaded to Instagram.

Ibrahimovic to join Man United for one season: Reports

Sweden star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has reached an agreement with English club Manchester United, and he will undergo medical tests after his national side's campaign ends at the ongoing Euro football championship in France, according to Sky Sports.

According to Sky Sports on Tuesday, personal terms were agreed on a one-year contract after negotiations between Ibrahimovic's agent Mino Raiola and Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward took place in recent weeks, reports Efe.

The 34-year-old player will be Manchester United's second signing under new coach Jose Mourinho, who previously signed Ivorian defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal.

Ibrahimovic is presently available on a free transfer following the expiry of his Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) contract at the end of the season. He has helped PSG capture the Ligue 1 title in all the four seasons, scoring 154 goals in 179 games since joining the French capital club in the summer of 2012 from AC Milan.

He has an impressive CV as he featured in some of the best clubs in Europe. Having started his career at Swedish club Malmo, he went on to play for Ajax, Juventus, Inter Milan, Milan and PSG.

He has also been a prolific scorer for his country with 62 goals in 114 matches.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Manchester United target will reveal identity of his next club 'soon'

The 34-year-old striker also revealed that he would welcome a return to former club Milan

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has said that he will make a decision on his next club ‘soon’ and has suggested that a return to Milan could be on the cards.

The Paris Saint-Germain striker, linked with a number of Premier League clubs, has openly speculated that he could move to England’s top flight.

Ibrahimovic’s contract with the Ligue 1 club expires in the summer and Manchester United have been repeatedly mooted as a potential destination.

The Sweden international, however, gave little away when speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday, only revealing that his future would be resolved ‘soon’.

"It depends on others, not just me,” he said. "What I want is to play, as for where that is, we will see. Soon you'll know everything and all this speculation will be over.”

Ibrahimovic directly addressed speculation regarding a return to Milan, where he played 85 games and scored 56 goals during a two-year spell between 2010 and 2012.

The 34-year-old striker enjoyed his time in Italy’s second city, playing as part of the 2011/12 Serie A-winning side and also appearing for the club’s rivals Internazionale.

"I have a good relationship with Milan,” he said. “I love Milan and in my view it's the biggest club I ever played for.

“I didn't want to leave Milan. My exit from Milan is the past and this is the future. Let's see what happens."

Jay-Jay Okocha has still got it - and Zlatan Ibrahimovic is massively impressed

 Remember Jay-Jay Okocha?

Paris St Germain fans do. The Nigerian trickster was introduced to the PSG crowd before a recent game with Monaco and got a hero's welcome.

Okocha played 84 games for the Parisians and became a fans' favourite - not just for his goals and skills but also for mentoring a young chap by the name of Ronaldinho.

He left PSG and joined Bolton in 2002 where he also quickly became a cult hero for scoring crazy goals and dazzling opposition with skills.

And when he was brought back to the Parc de Princes before a Monaco game recently, he reminded everyone of those famous skills.

Have your say in the comments below

Before kick-off he flicked the match-ball up with one of his trademark rainbow kick hybrids.

The ref loved it and so did Zlatan Ibrahimovic , clapping and smiling like, we assume, everyone else in the stadium.

Good old Jay-Jay, still entertaining us all these years later.

SHOCKING NEWS – Zlatan Ibrahimović Coming To EPL. His Likeliest Club Revealed

Call it a strategic move, a ‘deliberate slip’ or even a psychological marketing gimmick but the English Premier league will mostly likely welcome Zlatan Ibrahimović according to the player’s agent, Mino Raiola. Raiola hinted that his client is considering a move to England next season.

Ibrahimović is in the last year of his contract at Paris Saint-Germain in France and will become a free agent (for the first time in his career) by the end of the season. What this means is that the prolific striker will have a major leverage when it comes to deciding where next to ply his trade. And Raiola is hoping to see the Sweden hitman in the thick of it all in England when he does finally move.

“I would like to see him in the Premier league”, Raiola stated.

“I think it’s a game that is made for him with his strength, his ability, his technique, the stadiums with fantastic atmosphere and how football is lived. It’s difficult now because for the first time in his life he wants to be a free agent so that he can look around and have a feeling day by day what he wants to do”.

Raiola claims that a number of clubs in the Premier league have already shown interests and will battle for the striker’s signature. “There are a lot of projects on our table but he has not decided yet. Can he go to England? In theory, yes he can because he will be a free agent and for sure there are some clubs always interested in him. What we will do at the end, I really don’t know.”

However, the Independent suggests that Ibrahimović will join Manchester United, while the Mirror believes Arsenal is the most likely destination. United, especially, has not found much joy going forward and will be hoping to improve on their attacking strength. Anthony Martial, Wayne Rooney and Memphis Depay have all struggled for goals this season with the French man as their top scorer in the league with a paltry five goals to his name.

Arsenal, on the other hand, has fared a lot better, but most of their strike burden lies squarely on Olivier Giroud. In stark contrast, Ibrahimović has been impressive so far this season scoring 15 goals in 14 Ligue 1 games for PSG and making him the top goal scorer in the division. His technical ability is still intact and eyes for goals remain sharp.

Many have doubted Ibrahimović’s ability to replicate his current form in the Premier league given its competitive nature. He still has so much to prove to the footballing world and just like Raiola, we can wait to see the Swede in the Premier league!