Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic is edging closer to a move to Manchester United and it seems to be a matter of days before the 34-year-old is announced as a Red Devil. However, he wouldn’t be the only big name coming in, as a reported fee of £35 million has been agreed for Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
It is a summer of change at Old Trafford, as incoming manager Jose Mourinho is set to tweak the current United roster. After bringing in Eric Bailly from Villarreal, the Portuguese coach has now decided to invest offensively, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan seem to be the men targeted to bring back the glory days to the Theatre of Dreams.
As reported by BBC, Ibrahimovic is expected to complete his switch to Manchester United any time this week. It is understood that he will be receiving a bumper £300,000-a-week salary, making him one of the highest paid players in the Premier League. The 34-year-old would undoubtedly be a stellar signing for the Red Devils who struggled to apply the finishing touch to their attacks throughout the 2015/16 campaign. His current season stats read really well, as the former PSG striker netted 38 times in just 31 Ligue 1 appearances and showed his potency in front of goal.
However, before the Swedish superstar puts pen to paper, United may sign another skillful and a younger attacking maverick. Borussia Dormund’s Henrikh Mkhitaryan is on the cusp of joining the Red Devils, for a fee reported to be in the £35 million bracket (via ESPN). Much like Ibrahimovic, the Armenian too, is on the back of a fascinating league campaign. In 31 Bundesliga appearances, Mkhitaryan tallied an impressive 11 goals and 15 assists. He was the focal point of Dortmund’s strike force, and could offer a lot to Manchester United, once he manages to acclimatize himself to the tricky nature of England’s top-tier.
Here are three permutations Mourinho could use to fit in his two new signings.
4-3-3: Martial and Mkhitaryan could offer width
Mkhitaryan featured 17 times on the right-flank for Dortmund this season, and excelled in that position. According to WhoScored, the Armenian netted 7 times and assisted another 8 whilst deployed on the right. Knowing Mourinho’s tendency to play a 4-3-3, we might see the 27-year-old play as a wing-forward.
On the opposite side, Anthony Martial seems to be the obvious choice. Ever since his debut against Liverpool, the Frenchman showed how effective he can be when fielded on the left-wing. He likes to cut-in onto his stronger right foot, and with the presence of a lethal striker waiting to get on the end of the ball, Martial could thrive in the assists category as well.
In a one-striker system, it is a no-brainer that Ibrahimovic would lead the lines. He has played as a lone forward for the majority of his career, and has received plaudits for his impeccable finishing ability. Given the creativity on both flanks, the former Sweden striker may be on his way to another domestic golden boot.
4-3-1-2: Mkhitaryan in the hole
The Armenian’s versatility could see him feature in every position in the attacking third. In a 4-3-1-2 (diamond) system, Mkhitaryan would play off the two strikers. This formation would give United an added threat up-front and creativity just behind the attacking duo. Martial and Ibrahimovic could form one of the deadliest strike duos in the country, giving the Old Trafford faithful something they have been craving for since Robin van Persie’s departure.
However, a formation such as this would mean that United would have to play more through the middle due to the lack of wide men. If the full-backs are expected to surge up, it would leave the side threadbare at the back. So, the 4-3-1-2 system would be a gamble for Mourinho, and it is doubtful whether he would take the risk.
4-2-3-1: Rooney playing off Ibrahimovic
Jose Mourinho employed a 4-2-3-1 setup during his 2014/15 Premier League triumph with Chelsea and could use the same system for his new employers. If he decides to go with this formation, Wayne Rooney would have to play in a more advanced position. Rather than sitting deep and playing the longer balls to the attackers, the United captain would feature in a no. 10 position, just behind Ibrahimovic. Martial and Mkhitaryan, much like the 4-3-3, would take their positions on either flank.
This system would give United two holding players in midfield that would offer a lot of defensive support, but very little influence in the final third. After the angry chants from the fans at Old Trafford last season, it seems highly improbable that Mourinho would prioritize his defence. By the look of things, he would want United to play an open and attacking brand of football by making optimum utilization of their wide men, and a 4-2-3-1 may not provide that.