Manchester United’s transfer plans have become that much harder to perfect as the Red Devils have now decided that they are not going to stick with Swedish international Zlatan Ibrahimovic when he returns from his knee injury. With 28 goals in all competitions, Zlatan was the highest goal scorer for the Manchester outfit but he picked up a season-ending knee injury that is set to keep him out at least till the turn of the year.
He was the talisman for the side throughout the campaign but United managed to win the Europa League title without him in the team and Jose Mourinho has decided that he is no longer a requirement at Old Trafford. According to reports from the Express, Manchester United are not ready to offer him a contract extension and are ready to let him leave the club on a free this summer.
At 36, he is not expected to be the first choice for twice a week next season but losing him will be a huge blow for Manchester United. His attributes are perfect for Mourinho’s style of play and he will have surely been at the top of his game in the second year in England. He has shown no signs of fatigue or loss of his touch at his age and is still worth the enormous wages United were paying him last summer.
However, the knee injury that he is being treated for will have surely taken a big chunk of confidence out on his ability to put in the hard yards at his age and that could turn into a liability for the club that wants to compete for the Champions League.
It is true that United will have to spend more than £60m to secure the services of any of the top strikers in Europe at the moment and yet, they could have done with someone like Zlatan in their ranks, to help as a mentor, and also act as an option in the business end of the season.
The Old Trafford outfit is one of the richest clubs in Europe and it is hard to imagine them parting ways with a player due to wage demands. But the fact that Mourinho does not want Zlatan at his disposal for another season shown that he has some serious plans for his squad.
The likes of Romelu Lukaku, Andrea Belotti and Antoine Griezmann are constantly linked with a move to the club and it is to be seen as to who replaces Zlatan next season. It will not be easy to emulate what the Swede did in the previous season and Mourinho will hope that he can spend in a player who can promise such returns. Else, letting go of Zlatan might come back to haunt them in a few months’ time.
