According to The Sun, Juventus are willing to offer Paulo Dybala and Mario Mandzukic as well as an additional £10 million in the deal to sign Romelu Lukaku. Dybala’s potential switch to Old Trafford has been already well documented. The Argentine, however, is demanding a lucrative contract, which would give him parity with other top earners at United.
Manduzkic, meanwhile, is another player offered by Juve. But, how will he fit in at Man United?
Mandzukic’s recent struggles at Juventus
Mandzukic has been a part of the Juventus side since 2015. He joined the Italian champions for a fee of £18.9 million He enjoyed quite an impressive debut campaign in the Serie A, scoring ten goals in 27 matches.
During his ongoing four year spell in Turin, the Croatian international has netted 44 goals in 162 competitive matches. And while that figure may seem quite disappointing for a player of his calibre, Mandzukic has mostly been a bit-part player at the club in recent years.
The 33-year-old is yet to muster over 2,500 minutes of league football in any of his four seasons in Italy. He endured his least active season during the 2018/19 campaign, featuring in just over 2,000 minutes of league football. And with Cristiano Ronaldo seemingly becoming a vital part of Juventus, a move away from Allianz Stadium does make sense for the veteran striker.
What can he bring to the table?
Mandzukic’s style of play can be compared to Atletico star Diego Costa. He is known for his aggression and tenacity that allows him to put pressure on the opposing ball-carrying defenders. The 33-year-old also has considerable strength, enabling him to keep hold of the ball ever under pressure.
However, what makes Mandzukic such an effective attacker is his ability to head the ball. Indeed, the Croatian boasts a tall 1.90m frame and is an indirect threat from set-pieces. He is a lethal finisher as well, which is evident in his impressive scoring tally in the Bundesliga.
Where can he fit in at Manchester United?
Mandzukic can be considered as a direct short-term replacement for Lukaku. The Juventus star’s vast experience at the highest level of football could be useful for an otherwise young Manchester United setup. He can be deployed alongside Marcus Rashford in Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer’s 4-3-1-2 formation.
Mandzukic’s physical and aerial prowess means he can be utilised as a target man, especially with the likes of Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez and Anthony Martial playing on the wings. His flexible and hard-working nature is also suited to Solskjaer’s style of play more than that of Lukaku’s – making him a useful signing for the Red Devils.
