Has Zlatan deserved his contract extension?

[Mourinhonista]

Most people were desperate to bring him in, but after three months they're thinking of cutting ties in a year or so.

Good strikers are hard to come by so one should be careful what he/she's been wishing for.

I think people expect too much from Ibrahimovic. Chances like the one against Pool (header) aren't as easy to convert as some might think.

So far Ibrahimovic has helped United's cause (could have been more goals tbf). His linkup play is very good to have, i for one wouldn't want to miss out on that.

So long story short, good having Ibrahimovic around the house, imo.

 

[Adebesi]

Yes I know that it was a mean trap I set for you... I just wanted to see if a single goal difference would make a difference to you...

When you take a step back and see what you are saying it is unreasonable. Yes he could score more and miss less but then again so could Aguero and Costa. 3 Goal difference for an "ageing striker" with the Elite of world football striking is no cause for concern.

My God, you got me there! I feel proper silly now.

 

[Ludens the Red]

genuine question - what do you mean by "he should be doing more"

have you seen RVN Or Batistuta play ? They do nothing for 90 mins and score a crucial goal in 91st minute - That's what a striker does - score goals. 7 / 12 is a decent return considering we still don't have a settled 11 yet. I cant speak for future and agree we should have waited little longer before extending his contract. Having said that, he is least of our problems.

Ibrahimovic is supposed to be more than just a goalscoring striker.
7 in 12 is an average return especially when you consider the chances he has missed.
People were talking about Messi and Ronaldo goalscoring figures when we were signing him in the summer.
I don't need to tell you how hilariously off the pace he is as far as that is concerned.
Of course his overall record of 9 in 19 isn't actually that bad as a flat out figure but we were promised so much more in terms of goals and performances. It's almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic was massively over rated.

 

[Marcelinho87]

Yes, he has.

7 goals in 12 games is a decent return. He should be transitioned into a support role over the rest of this year and next though, as his overall play is not good enough. Super sub and backup please.

Ehhh I disagree, his overall play and especially his link up play has been quite good imo but his finishing has been atrocious.

 

[Zlaatan]

Ibrahimovic is supposed to be more than just a goalscoring striker.
7 in 12 is an average return especially when you consider the chances he has missed.
People were talking about Messi and Ronaldo goalscoring figures when we were signing him in the summer.
I don't need to tell you how hilariously off the pace he is as far as that is concerned.
Of course his overall record of 9 in 19 isn't actually that bad as a flat out figure but we were promised so much more in terms of goals and performances. It's almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic was massively over rated.

I would love to see the posts that said he would get Ronaldo and Messi like goalscoring figures in the PL. I would also love to know why anyone would hold such rediculous "promises" over his head.
I can show you posts that say that he wouldn't score more than 5 goals the entire season. Does that mean that he's massively underrated because he's already scored more than that?

Perhaps we should wait until we've done more than 1/3 of the season before we judge if a player was over- or underrated.

 

[CS@SG]

13 out of 38 is more than 1/3 if my math did not fail me.

 

[BIGbadBOO4]

Personally I don't think he has. I would have waited much longer, perhaps other teams were sniffing around. I may be cynical here but I bet he makes us lots of money and that seems to be more important than competing.

 

[Dr. Funkenstein]

Of course his overall record of 9 in 19 isn't actually that bad as a flat out figure but we were promised so much more in terms of goals and performances. It's almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic was massively over rated.

That's been the story in England for more than 10 years, and it went down well with the people who had hardly seen him play. And now he's well past his peak and his overall contribution to the attacks is ignored, they find confirmation. He is well past his peak, but without him this team wouldn't create much at all, I would be worried about who to get if he did quit and the end of the season.

 

[NoLogo]

If he can find his scoring boots from the start of the season again we will be happy he extended, if not we might regret giving it to him so early but hey that's football.

 

[tomaldinho1]

His performances should have been a lot better. He gives the ball away far too much.
He should also be scoring more goals and influencing games a lot more. He and his fans talked him up as one of Europes finest strikers and so that is how he should be expected to perform.
He enjoyed a honeymoon start but has since scored 4 league goals in 10 games (3 against teams in the bottom four). He's not been the match winner him and his fans talked him up as. He isn't performing against the best opposition. Aguero and Costa have pissed all over him this season.

He shouldn't get a new deal and I don't expect him to get any better.
Like someone else said we go out and get Griezmann next summer, if not, Icardi.

Firstly, they should have. Both seasoned in PL and in better performing teams. Secondly, they both have 3 more goals than him, not exactly a crazy difference. Given we are missing a lot of chances collectively I think Ibra can close this gap, especially as Aguero has hamstrings made of jelly.

Love the optimism on transfers but, unless things drastically improve, both players would be mad to come here.

 

[markhrad]

I think we are now playing the most exciting attacking football since the Fergie era and I think that Zlatan's touch and link up play has been the main reason.
Also each match I see a growing understanding between him and Pogba. I just think that the best is still to come with Zlatan leading the team so I have no problem with a contract extension.

 

[VP89]

I think we are now playing the most exciting attacking football since the Fergie era and I think that Zlatan's touch and link up play has been the main reason.
Also each match I see a growing understanding between him and Pogba. I just think that the best is still to come with Zlatan leading the team so I have no problem with a contract extension.

No he hasn't.

 

[Handré1990]

As of now, no. I am probably one of the biggest Zlatan fans, but it's not a good idea to give him an extension after he's missed so many large chances in a row. He should be given one if he can raise his game, and to be perfectly honest, that means scoring more, because he's clearly very important to our attacking play, and frankly, we don't have a better option.

 

[Pyroblazer]

Right decision of course. People complain about him missing chances and of course he should have scored more, but he is also the only player who can add more than a goal here and there. Without him we would look completely harmless and it's not like we can guarantee that we will get an top attacker in the summer, so with keeping him we have less pressure to do an expensive panic deal in the summer and look which would be the best deal for us, while we can still also look at our young players and how they continue this season. The only thing we should change is that we shouldn't play him every week, play Rashford as a striker and give Zlatan a rest here and there. But I am happy that we have him as an option for the next season too, doesn't mean that we can still add another player to our attack.

 

[markhrad]

No he hasn't.

Well the only differences between this year and last year is Zlatan and Pogba coming in to the starting 11, Mourinho instead of LVG and Rooney now is not a definite starter. So have your pick.

 

[Raoul]

Ibrahimovic is supposed to be more than just a goalscoring striker.
7 in 12 is an average return especially when you consider the chances he has missed.
People were talking about Messi and Ronaldo goalscoring figures when we were signing him in the summer.
I don't need to tell you how hilariously off the pace he is as far as that is concerned.
Of course his overall record of 9 in 19 isn't actually that bad as a flat out figure but we were promised so much more in terms of goals and performances. It's almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic was massively over rated.

Complete nonsense. He was never expcted to match his 50 in 50 numbers at PSG in England. Even under the best scenarios, he was talked up to score about 30 goals in all comps, which he is more or less on pace to achieve especially if he starts putting away a few more chances.

 

[Billy Blaggs]

Ibrahimovic is supposed to be more than just a goalscoring striker.
7 in 12 is an average return especially when you consider the chances he has missed.
People were talking about Messi and Ronaldo goalscoring figures when we were signing him in the summer.
I don't need to tell you how hilariously off the pace he is as far as that is concerned.
Of course his overall record of 9 in 19 isn't actually that bad as a flat out figure but we were promised so much more in terms of goals and performances. It's almost as if Zlatan Ibrahimovic was massively over rated.

 

[markhrad]

I just get the feeling that Zlatan is going to sort things out and then go on a goalscoring rampage. I don't see anything wrong with his physicality and his high levels of skill and self-confidence are undeniable.

 

[Janson]

From a neutral's perspective, I largely agree that it makes sense to wait.

The problem with Zlatan isn't just his poor conversion rate this season but how he affects everybody else on the pitch. Zlatan has taken 63 shots this season in league games, which is almost as much as Martial (10), Rashford (16), Rooney (18), and Mata (21) combined. When Zlatan is on the pitch, the game will always be structured around him, either letting him drop deep to get on the ball or, more likely, pumping balls into the box for him. His movement patterns and playing style make it more difficult for other players to get involved offensively, especially from the wings, because he clogs the middle - his movement is up and down but rarely lateral - and because he demands the ball and young players will defer to a legend like him, especially one that seems to have a special relationship with the manager. I don't think it is a coincidence that Martial and Rashford have regressed with his arrival: They see less of the ball and their ability to move decisively into dangerous positions is compromised by the fact that Zlatan is already loitering in them waiting for service, accompanied by several defenders. If I had to make a call right now, I'd say that you would be better off letting Zlatan go after this year and then going all out in the summer to sign Griezmann (or, failing that, another forward who can play across the front) and building the front line around Martial/Rashford/NewSigning. But the most important thing here is that you don't have to decide now so there is nothing lost by waiting. The team is currently caught between trying to maximize performance in the short term (which signing Zlatan was clearly intended to do) and building a team for the long term (which continuing to have the attack revolve around Zlatan will impede IMO). So far, the short term is not working out that well so the most sensible thing would be to at least wait on the option and reevaluate in the spring.

That's just not true. It's the other way around really, him demanding attention from defenders leaves space for others. Every club he has played for, he's been raking up assists.
When he drops deep, he does it in order to play others in. I don't get how you can say it's all about him when he is constantly providing assist worthy passes. The problem is they are'nt converted. An even bigger problem is that he isn't converting chances himself. Pogba could have had 7-8 assists by now if he scored those.

On the topic though, I don't think he should have got an extension yet. The dry patch might not have been just a patch. It could be a recurring thing for him in the PL. If he goes on a run like that again then we should start worrying.
But if he still links up well and keeps creating for others he deserves a place in the starting 11.

 

[Oyibo]

When we don't get into the Champions League again, he may turn down the second year that's offered to him..

 

[bosnian_red]

If he continues playing the same way then of course. He is playing like a very good player and is really important to us. Without him, we can't really field any decent striker and don't look like creating a chance. Martial is the closest we could get and of course he can develop into a world class player, but he has a lot to learn first. Ibra though brings us a big physical presence up top and he can bully opposition center backs, he gives us a target to aim at with crosses and long balls if needed, he can score out of nothing from outside the box (or inside) so gives us that unpredictability, and he is creative with his passing and can link up really well. Of course he's missed a few chances the past month or 2 and it's cost us, but what he brings far outweighs the missed chances, and besides, the missed chances will turn around and he'll start banging more of them in (he has a decent scoring rate anyway).

So yeah, of course he was more then worth it to bring in in the first place (plus he was on a free), and secondly, if he stays more or less the same, then of course he should get a one year extension. It's a different question if he should be an automatic starter next season (he should be and is this season), but as a squad player rotating in and still providing that experience he is perfect for next year.

 

[markhrad]

If he continues playing the same way then of course. He is playing like a very good player and is really important to us. Without him, we can't really field any decent striker and don't look like creating a chance. Martial is the closest we could get and of course he can develop into a world class player, but he has a lot to learn first. Ibra though brings us a big physical presence up top and he can bully opposition center backs, he gives us a target to aim at with crosses and long balls if needed, he can score out of nothing from outside the box (or inside) so gives us that unpredictability, and he is creative with his passing and can link up really well. Of course he's missed a few chances the past month or 2 and it's cost us, but what he brings far outweighs the missed chances, and besides, the missed chances will turn around and he'll start banging more of them in (he has a decent scoring rate anyway).

So yeah, of course he was more then worth it to bring in in the first place (plus he was on a free), and secondly, if he stays more or less the same, then of course he should get a one year extension. It's a different question if he should be an automatic starter next season (he should be and is this season), but as a squad player rotating in and still providing that experience he is perfect for next year.

Totally agree.

 

[Adebesi]

Just to be clear, if we were to let Ibra go at the end of this season that would not be to rely on Martial and Rashford (and Rooney?) alone up front.

The choice is between Ibra next season or another, younger centre forward, not just the current squad either with or without Ibra. If that was the choice of course we would have to keep him.

 

[noodlehair]

When we don't get into the Champions League again, he may turn down the second year that's offered to him..

When you look at the number of easy chances he's fluffed or cocked up putting on a plate for someone else, he'll probably be the main reason why we don't get top four.

A "top" striker with the chances this team has given them would be scoring for fun. Like Aguero or Costa do.

I don't see the point in keeping someone who isn't good enough just because not doing will mean having to play someone else who isn't good enough. A) the someone else at least wont be 35 years old, and B) not keeping him MIGHT force us to actually get someone competent in...not easy to find but settling for less is the road to settling for not being good enough.

 

[dove]

I think he deserved it. He has already scored 7 goals so he should get around 20 this season which is what most of us expected really. Most of the chances we create directly involves him, only thing that worries a bit is his finishing as he wastes way too much chances. Anyway, he is the best striker we have and no one is even close to him. Of course I would prefer that we get a new striker in the summer so Ibra would be a great sub.

 

[Adebesi]

I think he deserved it. He has already scored 7 goals so he should get around 20 this season which is what most of us expected really. Most of the chances we create directly involves him, only thing that worries a bit is his finishing as he wastes way too much chances. Anyway, he is the best striker we have and no one is even close to him. Of course I would prefer that we get a new striker in the summer so Ibra would be a great sub.

Well he is our centre forward. Isn't that a bit like, if your keeper keeps letting goals in, saying ah well, at least he was closest to it as it flew past him into the net?

 

[marjen]

For all the missed chances (and he's far from the only player guilty of that) a PL goals tally of 7 in 12 in his debut season is decent. Throw in his high number of chances created and all the criticism seems very unfair.

My position excactly.

Plus we've been playing good attacking football, better than at any point post Fergie. He's contributing to that.

 

[VP89]

Well the only differences between this year and last year is Zlatan and Pogba coming in to the starting 11, Mourinho instead of LVG and Rooney now is not a definite starter. So have your pick.

The difference is we have a new manager who has his own style of play an favours attackers freely expressing themselves going forward.

 

[dove]

Well he is our centre forward. Isn't that a bit like, if your keeper keeps letting goals in, saying ah well, at least he was closest to it as it flew past him into the net?

Not necessarily. There are many centre forwards who hardly touch the ball in 90 mins. What I meant to say is that he is not only capable of scoring goals, he also has a good vision to create chances for his teammates.

 

[FrantikChicken]

I really feel like some folks don't actually realize how difficult some of the things Ibrahimovic pulls off/ tries to pull of are. He creates shots on goal and goal scoring opportunities for teammates in situations where other players would simply either lose the ball or not be able to get it anywhere near on goal.

He has what, 7 goals in 12 games? That's better than a goal every 2nd game, which if you look at striker statistics, is better than most. Can he do better? Absolutely, he has the ability and drive to do better. I'm absolutely sure he wants to be scoring more and I've no doubt that he will. 7 in 12 in the EPL is very good, let alone for a 35 year old. I've no doubt he'll improve on this ratio too.

I'm all for an extension. The guy is built like a tank and will continue scoring. I'd like to have another striker who can be even more dependable than him next season though. That way Zlatan can still help us greatly but we won't be depending on him as the only solid option.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

People can moan all they want about Zlatan but truth be told Rashford and Martial haven't turned up this season, Zlatan has been our best attacker he deserves the extension.

This with bells on. Mata is the only other attacking player to come close.

Zlatan is scoring goals, creating chances and most importantly is missing chances too, he will probably score 30 in all competitions this season and people will still point the finger at him because if we play well and don't win... it has to be the strikers fault right?

Our biggest problem has been Martial and Rashford who have been poor, Rashford has been absolutely awful as of late. When I'm desperate for Rooney to play left forward that tells you all you need to know about where our current "issues" lie & it's certainly not with our top scorer. Rashford's chance at the weekend was an absolute gift and he fecked it up, this is costing us big time.

It feels a little like if Zlatan doesn't score, who does? The only other player I currently trust to regularly chip in is Mata. That is what needs fixing ASAP.

 

[unimaginative_name]

Lol...not just Zlatan and not just about the salary or the contract...does any of the players or the managers or coaches deserve to be at this club at all?

If you are working at United, you must deliver titles and trophies, if you can't, you don't deserve to be at United. Like I cannot stay at my job if I cannot deliver my products on time, these players actually shouldn't be at the club, but they are there, not only just that, they also get paid millions of pounds for basically drawing and losing matches after matches.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Lol...not just Zlatan and not just about the salary or the contract...does any of the players or the managers or coaches deserve to be at the at this club at all?

If you are working at United, you must deliver titles and trophies, if you can't, you don't deserve to be at United. Like I cannot stay at my job if I cannot deliver my products on time, these players actually shouldn't be at the club, but they are there, not only just that, they also get paid millions of pounds for basically drawing and losing matches after matches.

So sack the manager and sell the entire squad @unimaginative_name ?

 

[Wengerscoat]

I am surprised at his signing. For a club like United, a club which should be aiming for the title, I'd thought this glaring striker issue would have resulted in United signing someone younger or someone at their peak. Signing a 35 year old and expecting him to perform at peak efficiency in a fast paced PL was always never going to end well.

United could have signed a proper winger and given Martial and Rashford a go at the center or signed a proper younger striker instead of sticking Rashford on the wing.

Don't get me wrong, he is a fantastic talent but he is 35 and will not improve as each day goes by. At this age even an injury could severely hamper his ability to play for the long term.

 

[YouOnlyLiveTwice]

I think he is doing well, needs to be more clinical though. On the basis of his overall performances so far this season, you can say he deserves it.

But i don't think we should extend his contract. I want to see a more dynamic striker in the team, someone who will move defenders out of position with his movement and runs in behind. I feel that it would improve our play, especially when we are playing a fast combination type of football.

 

[unimaginative_name]

So sack the manager and sell the entire squad @unimaginative_name ?

Well, I guess that's too radical, but if I were the manager, I'd appoint a manager who will go total youth from the academy, who will kick out any old spoiled players like Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Schweinsteiger etc. if they don't perform on a regular basis. We are losing anyways, what's the point of keeping and playing old players who are basically mercenaries and have no future.

I'd also make contracts based on winning trophies. Base salary would be around 80000 for the highest paid players, once their win a trophy won, then the players will be given bonus that equals to (number of weeks X 50% of base salary).

 

[Born2Lose]

When we don't get into the Champions League again, he may turn down the second year that's offered to him..

Of course, because there was such a huge queue of CL teams after him in the summer...

We are paying this guy around as much as Liverpool pay Lallana, Firminio and Coutinho combined.

He knows he's onto a good thing here which he won't get anywhere else, same as Rooney.

 

[Raoul]

Well, I guess that's too radical, but if I were the manager, I'd appoint a manager who will go total youth from the academy, who will kick out any old spoiled players like Rooney, Ibrahimovic, Schweinsteiger etc. if they don't perform on a regular basis. We are losing anyways, what's the point of keeping and playing old players who are basically mercenaries and have no future.

I'd also make contracts based on winning trophies. Base salary would be around 80000 for the highest paid players, once their win a trophy won, then the players will be given bonus that equals to (number of weeks X 50% of base salary).

So in a nutshell you'd like to see us relegated. Interesting.

 

[Jaxdan]

Complete nonsense. He was never expcted to match his 50 in 50 numbers at PSG in England. Even under the best scenarios, he was talked up to score about 30 goals in all comps, which he is more or less on pace to achieve especially if he starts putting away a few more chances.

Exactly. Anyone thinking he would walk into the EPL and continue his torrid PSG pace was kidding themselves. I was hoping for 20 give or take PL goals from him. He appears to be right about on that pace.

 

[diarm]

Our top scorer last season scored 11 league goals all year, and that was while he was on form.

Ibrah has 7 already and it's still November. Yet people want him dropped for Martial or Rashford?

While those two have looked a shadow of themselves this season, Ibrah has linked well with Pogba, Mata, Rooney, Herrera, Lingard and Mkhitaryan at times, creating chances even when sometimes his and his teammates finishing has been off key.