Abhranil Roy
Manchester United have made a real statement this summer, having bought Heinrikh Mkhitaryan for 26 million pounds and the great Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a free transfer. For us, Mkhitaryan would represent a significant improvement over almost every attacker in the squad. The Armenian has had a sensational season in Germany, notching 23 goals and 24 assists in 51 games. He added penetration and poise to a frenetic Borrusia Dortmund attack, outshining Marco Reus, despite the German’s stellar reputation. On the other hand, Zlatan’s class is obvious and undisputed, and he seems almost certain to join José Mourinho’s revolution at Old Trafford. He is a veteran of undisputed class. Nine league titles won in the last 10 seasons, with 300 goals scored in that time period, are stats that would leave even most the hardened of cynics agog.
But how has his arrival impact Manchester United’s shape? Mkhitaryan too, how would the Red Devils look after adding these two world-class superstars to their misfiring attack? I investigate!
Formations:
It all depends on the kind of formation Mourinho chooses to deploy.
A 4-2-3-1 would see Zlatan up front, and Heinrikh probably featuring on the right side. A 4-3-1-2 will display the same picture as well. However, a 4-3-3 would see both Zlatan and Mkhitaryan as forwards, but the Swedish will probably feature centrally while the Armenian will be out wide.
Expectations:
Playing up-front in plenty of space means Zlatan can use all his ability. He can stay high and rely on the wingers for creativity, or he can come deep and be the creativity knowing that Martial and Mkhitaryan have the pace, penetration and poise in front of goal to take the chances he could create for them. Mkhitaryan, while capable of playing a wing role, would revel in the lateral freedom provided him in a 4-3-3 to move into areas where he can find space. He can come centrally to participate in build-up play (leaving the right-flank free for what is sure to be a revitalised Matteo Darmian) or surge forward into advanced areas even beyond the striker. Either way, if these two notches up a good understanding, United’s attacking prowess will be infinitely multiplied next season.
