Five reasons we can't wait for Zlatan's return
Zlatan Ibrahimovic's return from injury isn’t quite round the corner just yet, but here’s a handful of reasons why it’s bound to be good news for Manchester United supporters...
Come the middle stages of the season, and certainly the latter, the wear and tear of the campaign will inevitably fray the squad. People will pick up injuries, people will need resting. So the arrival of a fit and fresh Zlatan will be a major boost to the squad, to help carry the fight on all fronts and share the workload.
2: CONFIDENCE INJECTION
No-one does self-confidence quite like Zlatan. When the moment comes to walks through the door of the Aon Training Complex changing room and greet his team-mates with that big smile, or high fives all round, you just know there will be positive vibes bouncing around the place, with that glow of Zlatan confidence radiating out to the squad.
Tell Jose I'm coming pic.twitter.com/ozN6bNL7DA
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 8, 2017
3: OPTIONS UP TOP
On the pitch, it goes without saying that Ibra has plenty to offer. Whether he is in big, physical mode or switches to tricks-and-flicks setting, Zlatan can cause all kinds of trouble for defences, either in scoring goals himself or creating them for his teammates. That might be on his own as a striker or – a mouthwatering option – up front as part of a two with Romelu Lukaku.
"They said it was over, I was finished, I couldn't come back, that I didn't have the hunger. No! I decide when it is time to stop and nobody else."
4: WINNING MENTALITY
In the second half of the season, the pressure ramps up as the prospect of challenging for trophies becomes a reality. There is no-one in the United squad who knows more about the process of winning silverware than Zlatan. He will bring that winning mentality to bear in the final third of the season when the vice tightens, and his team-mates will all benefit from his attitude and experience of success.
I never left, I just upgraded my number @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/lgSviWHzei
— Zlatan Ibrahimović (@Ibra_official) September 7, 2017
5: HE'S ZLATAN!
Hey, we’re talking about Ibra here. He makes things happen, he writes back pages, he has the football gods on his side. Fans can expect him to make his mark on the season in one way or another – more than likely with more than a dash of trademark brio.
Our big interview with Zlatan in August is still available to watch via MUTV's 'On Demand' section.