In a recent interview (via The Daily Mirror), Owen Hargreaves has urged his former club Manchester United to make a move for Mario Mandzukic this summer when he said, “Defensively they were one of the better teams in the league, but in terms of goalscoring they were way behind Liverpool and City.
“You can do with a 20-goal scorer but I think I’d take Jadon [Sancho] first and then maybe get Mandzukic on a free.”
Mandzukic’s Incredible Career In European Football
The 34-year-old was released by Al Duhail last month after only scoring one goal in seven matches for the Qatari club. However, he had an impressive spell at Juventus where he banged in 44 goals and provided 17 assists in 162 appearances across all competitions.
Mandzukic is an experienced attacker who has secured a lot of trophies at the highest level. He has won the Bundesliga twice and the UEFA Champions League once with Bayern Munich, and the Serie A title four times with Juve. The ex-Dinamo Zagreb talent has also been named the Croatian footballer of the year twice in his long and illustrious career.
The veteran striker has earned 89 senior caps for the Croatian national team, registering 33 goals for his country in the process. He was an integral member of the famous Croatia squad that reached the 2018 FIFA World Cup final and could still play a key role for his nation in next year’s UEFA European Championship finals.
What Will The Croatia International Bring To The Table?
Mandzukic can make himself big when contesting an aerial duel with the opposition and can often use his strength to overpower his marker in the final third. He is a tireless worker and can operate in any position across the frontline. His vast experience and outstanding versatility make him a useful option for any top-flight team in Europe. However, there are some concerns over whether the Croatian striker would be able to perform at a high level in the Premier League this late in his playing career.
Is Mandzukic The Right Choice For The Red Devils?
At 34, Mandzukic still has a few years left in him before he decides to hang up his boots, so Man United should consider offering him a chance to succeed in England next season. He is currently available for free and would not only add a few more goals and assists to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s frontline, but also improve the overall depth of his squad.
Plus, he has what it takes to serve as a useful squad player at Old Trafford and could provide adequate cover for the attacking positions at the Theatre of Dreams. Mandzukic will even instil a winning mentality to Solskjaer’s squad in the coming seasons which makes him an ideal, short-term choice for the Red Devils this summer.
