Manchester United: Zlatan Ibrahimovic off the mark but can he keep pace?
Manchester United summer addition Zlatan Ibrahimovic has scored in all of his debuts so far this campaign, but can he maintain the momentum?
When Manchester United agreed terms with Zlatan Ibrahimovic this summer there were many who looked to the addition of the 34-year-old Swedish star as either a stroke of genius or as a massively risk.
So far the former appears to be the consensus since the start of August as the big forward has scored goals in each of his three competitive appearances for the Red Devils.
He opened his account on the Wembley pitch as United took the defending champions Leicester City Foxes to task, followed by an away goal against Bournemouth in their Premier League opener.
Not to be outdone by himself his two goals in two away showings were match with a brace against Southampton in his Old Trafford debut.
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The Swedish forward already has his first date with destiny when the club travel to Hull City this weekend as Ibrahimovic could equal the 2004 record of Alan Smith as the only other newly signed post-war United player to score five goals in the month of August according to the Manchester Evening News. A brace against the Tigers could see him own his first United record all to himself.
Since his arrival in England, Ibra has been talking a big game and delivering and no one will forget him having it out with United legend Eric Cantona that he will not be the “Prince of Manchester,” but he will be the, “God of Manchester.”
Despite his body getting older, Ibrahimovic just keeps getting stronger and more willing to heap on the pressure that he thrives upon for success. And for a club crying out for a true star and vocal leader, he is already delivering where so many have failed over the last several years.
When you have had a career history like Ibra’s it is hard not to be confident. His club stats up until he came to United consisted of 676 matches with 392 goals, 13 League titles across Europe (two were revoked from his time with Juventus), over a dozen cup competitions across Europe and almost countless other awards.
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His two biggest misses that he will be hoping to achieve in England will be a Premier League title and if the cards play out within the next few years maybe a UEFA Europa League title this year and perhaps a UEFA Champions League title for United. A Premier League title would see him the first player to ever have won a League championship in five countries.
But, it’s all talk right now. There is a lot of football left to play this season and although Ibra is off the mark, can he continue to keep putting goals on the board and three points in the win column week after week?
The answer based on his past states a resounding yes, but if there is ever a League that is a great equalizer it is the Premier League and as the season begins to Grind and the weather gets more brutal, Ibra will have to call on his “Godly,” powers to prove he more than just a bright starter.