Why this season must be Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s last as Manchester United’s main striker

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a great striker, one who has won numerous titles in Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Spain and France. His ability to churn out hugely impressive figures for club and country adds further gloss to an already glorious career.

To put this in context, Zlatan just retired from international football after Euro 2016 at the ‘tender’ age of 34, putting an end to a fifteen year career that produced 116 caps and 62 goals making him Sweden’s highest goal scorer in the process.

The cultured striker also has 50 goals in 2016 and has silenced his critics, cue Michael Owen and Tony Cascarino, by scoring 12 goals for United in the league and 17 in all competitions. Anthony Martial, United’s top goal scorer last season had 17 goals and Zlatan has matched that tally at the halfway point. So, with all these staggering achievements, why on earth should Zlatan take a back seat next season?

Despite the inclination of fans and pundits to rave about Zlatan’s superhuman abilities and God-like aura, we must remember he is human. He’s as human as Wayne Rooney and regardless of the rose-tinted glasses United fans view Zlatan with, they must admit that all good things come to an end.

Zlatan has an ego. Forgive me, Zlatan is an ego, and would most probably not admit publicly that his physical prowess is waning. This is the tricky part, for a man who is an ego, it is much more egotistical to stop while at the top rather than falling before stopping.

The 35-year-old has to be honest with himself, if not the public, in a bid to protect his God-like status. He has been compared to Cantona numerous times and it’s common knowledge that Cantona retired early, 30 to be precise. When asked why? Cantona explained that his passion for the game had dwindled. Zlatan might still be hungry but the body doesn’t always keep up with the soul.

They are close, but Zlatan would be doing Mourinho no favour by staying on as United’s main no. 9. Upon signing for United, Mourinho was accused of not trusting youth players, against United’s tradition. In response he presented a list of youngsters he’d either given debuts or played regularly during his stint at previous clubs.

Zlatan’s wonderful form has the effect of blindsiding objective spectators, let alone an admirer like Mourinho. It is very possible that Mourinho – a Zlatan enthusiast – would continue playing the former Sweden captain regardless of the numerous youngsters knocking on his door at Carrington. This would further arm the naysayers, as they’ll have further facts to support Mourinho’s supposed negligence of youth.

When speaking of young players at United these days, one name springs to mind. Marcus Rashford. His rise has been so amazing and almost beyond belief. From scoring a brace on his debut, to making Petr Cech look like Heurelho Gomes, to netting that wonder strike at Upton Park, Rashford has been a joy to watch.

However, by his standards, he has been sub-par this season, mainly coming off the bench or being played in wide areas by Mourinho.

It is worth noting that even when there’s been a need to play Rashford, Mourinho has stuck with Zlatan. His only start as a striker in the league came against Arsenal and Zlatan was absent through suspension.

Rashford tends to gain a lot from playing alongside a legend like Zlatan, but his chances this season to showcase his talent have been limited because of the senior striker’s presence.

Of course the present situation is palatable for all involved, but next season “Rash” will be hungrier, and much better, so picking a thirty-five year old over him wouldn’t do well to satiate his hunger.

In modern day football, young players lack patience as everyone around them, fans, coaches, agents etc., seems to lack patience too. United cannot afford to lose Rashford for anyone, not even Zlatan. The last time they picked an oldie over a bright youngster they were force to pay £89 million to bring him back to the club.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is still one of the world’s best strikers. He’s lighting up the Premier League, scoring goals and making assists for fun. His on-pitch and off-pitch influence United cannot be overstated. However, he can’t go on forever and there’s a youngster waiting to take his place.

The 35-year-old can bang in the goals now, renew his contract and become a bit-part player for United next season. It’ll be best for everyone.

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