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Manchester United: 5 burning questions heading into the 2016-17 season

By Rucker Haringey

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Paul Pogba of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on August 8, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Paul Pogba of Manchester United poses after signing for the club at Aon Training Complex on August 8, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images) /
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LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 07: Zlatan Ibrahimovic of Manchester United celebrates after scoring his sides second goal during The FA Community Shield match between Leicester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on August 7, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Ben Hoskins/Getty Images) /

2. Which striker plays when?

Paul Pogba isn’t the only big name player that United have acquired this summer. Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic won’t allow his own star to be diminished by the arrival of another superstar. He’ll expect to play lots of meaningful matches for Mourinho this season.

That’s all well and good for the squad’s current ability to win matches. We saw that Ibra can still provide United with a clear goal scoring threat as his well-placed header won the Red Devils a Community Shield Trophy.

What isn’t clear, is whether or not Marcus Rashford is going to be satisfied with spending lots of time on the United bench. I suppose it’s possible that the two men can play together at times, but most often Mourinho will be choosing one man or the other. His ability to pick the right man, for the right match is going to be a significant challenge this season.

To some degree, expect Mourinho to ride the hot hand. If one striker is in form and finds themselves in a goal scoring streak, The Special One will trot him out there week after week. Conversely, if one of the two strikers doesn’t seem to be able to find the net, they’ll be quickly banished to the United bench.

Having two quality strikers isn’t a problem that anyone’s going to give United sympathy over. That doesn’t mean it couldn’t derail the Man U squad though.

Next: Can Pogba lead the team?

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