José Mourinho has prioritised the signing of an A-list centre-forward when he becomes Manchester United manager, with the Portuguese considering a move for the free agent Zlatan Ibrahimovic, whose favoured destination is Old Trafford.
Mourinho’s decision to target an elite striker in the summer market confirms Wayne Rooney will no longer regularly play in attack. The captain has previously acknowledged Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are now better suited to the No9 role.
If Mourinho decides to sign Ibrahimovic or any other high-class finisher, it means Rashford would be the deputy centre-forward and Martial would continue to operate mainly from a wide left position. Rooney would drop back into midfield, where he operated in the closing part of the season, and also offer an option at No10.
Mourinho enjoyed a good relationship with Ibrahimovic when the 53-year-old was in charge of Internazionale, between 2008 and 2010. The pair worked together in the Portuguese’s first season before Ibrahimovic left for Barcelona. At 34 the Swede is vastly experienced and a proven leader of the attack in La Liga, Serie A and Ligue 1, three of Europe’s major leagues.
United do not have Champions League football to help attract elite players. Ibrahimovic is entering his career’s final phase and as United is his first choice he may prove Mourinho’s best option. Ibrahimovic is viewed by the United executive as being an ideal commercial acquisition, given his global profile. He would cost nothing so the club would countenance paying him the £250,000-a-week salary the Swede may demand, given the revenues yielded by his presence at the 20-times champions.
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