Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s career at Manchester United might just be over with his contract set to end after this season. His promising career at Old Trafford side took a huge blow after the 36-year-old ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in April.
However, even at such a late stage of his career, Zlatan’s determination and perseverance saw him make a miraculous return to the pitch within just 5 months from the injury. United could not afford to lose the services of the proud Swede and signed him up for another season.
After making 5 substitute appearances in the Premier League this campaign, Ibrahimovic took another blow and had to be sidelined. Maybe the extent of the injury is bound to span longer than the stipulated recovery period with the decorated striker failing to make a return before the season end.
£75m summer signing, Romelu Lukaku has established himself as the first choice number nine and is a key figure in the club’s future. Ibrahimovic is well known in the footballing community to be supremely confident in his abilities, and might not accept the sporadic role for another season.
Facing interests from Chinese and American sides, it is highly likely that he will soon leave England.
Here are three candidates Jose Mourinho can consider to replace the former Paris Saint-Germain forward-
Karim Benzema
Benzema is no longer the lethal threat that he once was with most of the chances straying wide from goal. The frustrations of the Galactico fans boiled over after he missed two clear-cut chances against rivals Barcelona on the weekend.
The problem cannot be pegged to any one particular reason – be it the stagnation he might feel after spending 8 years at a club or playing second fiddle to the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo for so long. Whatever it might be, Florentino Perez might just be ready to get rid of an ineffective limb and sign a young replacement in the summer.
At 29 years of age, the Frenchman still has a lot to offer and can reunite with his former boss at Old Trafford.
Daniel Sturridge
Daniel Sturridge might be on his way out of Liverpool in January after failing to put in regular appearances under manager, Jurgen Klopp. He has so far registered only 5 starts in the Premier League mostly coming off the bench in the dying minutes of the game.
After his long stint at the sidelines on repetitive injury concerns, he finally returned to the line-up this season but failed to produce on the pitch. The 28-year-old is ready to leave the side to resurrect his professional career.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
The 28-year-old’s contract is set to end after this season and an extension with Borussia Dortmund is seemingly becoming more unlikely as the days progress. Strongly linked with multiple sides, he can make a shock move to United on a lucrative deal.
