Bruno Fernandes is the benchmark when it comes to post-Sir Alex Ferguson signings at Manchester United, although, despite it proving a brief love affair, a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic runs him close with regard to making an immediate impact at Old Trafford.
Eyebrows were raised when Jose Mourinho plucked the then 34-year-old from Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer in 2016, albeit with the enigmatic Swede fresh off the back of a stellar season that had seen him score 50 goals in all competitions in France.
Right from the word go, United became ‘Zlatan’s team’, notably netting the clincher in the Community Shield on debut, while also rifling home from range on his first Premier League start away at Bournemouth.
While a season that also took in a Carabao Cup final double at Wembley may have ended abruptly due to injury, the now-retired maverick had firmly quashed the doubters with 38 goals and assists in all competitions, with such a stay having been short and sweet as far as United are concerned.
A spate of further short-term striker signings have followed, but none have been quite so impactful. Could that change this summer?
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Ibrahmovic set the tone for what was to follow across a chaotic period at Old Trafford, with the likes of Edinson Cavani, Odion Ighalo, Wout Weghorst and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo all arriving as ageing, quick fixes at centre-forward.
|
Selected striker signings |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Player |
Games |
Goals |
|
Sesko |
28 |
10 |
|
Zirkzee |
69 |
9 |
|
Hojlund |
95 |
26 |
|
Weghorst |
31 |
2 |
|
Ronaldo* |
54 |
27 |
|
Ighalo |
23 |
5 |
|
Cavani |
59 |
19 |
|
Lukaku |
96 |
42 |
|
Ibra |
53 |
29 |
|
*second spell |
||
The mixed records of that motley crew sparked something of a change in tact, with the Red Devils almost going to the other extreme with three young striker signings in succession, following the additions of Rasmus Hojlund, Joshua Zirkzee and Benjamin Sesko.
In the form of Sesko, the Slovenian giant looks the most likely to make the grade in Manchester, with ten goals in all competitions thus far, although with Champions League football on the horizon next season, all being well, further firepower could be needed.
With that in mind, SportsBoom have reported that United are keen to sign something of a ‘mentor’ for the 22-year-old, in the form of Barcelona veteran Robert Lewandowski, with the Polish sensation out of contract at Camp Nou at the end of the campaign.
The report suggests that INEOS have opened talks ahead of a potential free transfer swoop for the 37-year-old, with a one-year contract offer potentially on the table for the former Bayern Munich man.
Lewandowski, who is also a target for MLS clubs, is said to favour a ‘multi-year deal’ instead, although the prospect of enjoying a season in the Premier League could prove too difficult to turn down.
Why Lewandowski could be Man Utd’s new Ibrahimovic
It’s an era, not least in the Premier League, devoid of real superstars, with there few signings that truly provide that ‘wow factor’ these days at Old Trafford.
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Lewandowski, like Ibrahimovic, Radamel Falcao or Bastian Schweinsteiger before him, would certainly provide that sense of superstardom, having enjoyed a remarkable, glittering career to date at the elite level.
Back in Germany, for instance, the Poland skipper hit 344 goals in just 375 games for Bayern, following his free transfer switch from Borussia Dortmund, with his time at his previous employers seeing him net 103 goals in 187 games.
Remarkably, since moving to Catalonia in 2022, he has actually recorded a better record than he did at Dortmund, despite his advancing years, chalking up 117 goals in 184 games to date in all competitions.
Even this season, despite starting just 21 games, Lewandowski boasts 16 goals in all competitions, ensuring he still rests above any player back in Manchester in that regard.
There is, it must be said, always the concern regarding whether such a player can adapt to Premier League life so late in their career, although Ibrahimovic somewhat dispelled that myth, with his tally of 17 top-flight goals for United having only been bettered twice at the club since then in a single season.
The Swedish icon was not only a prolific goalscorer but also something of an example to the crop of young forwards emerging at the Theatre of Dreams, in the form of Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, with Lewandowski likely to provide a similar role for the likes of Sesko and Chido Obi next term.
As this season in LaLiga is shown, he appears to accept his more limited role, while making an impact when he does feature, ensuring he could be a vital asset as United look to compete on four fronts in 2026/27.
Throw into the mix his record of 109 goals in 142 Champions League games, and that experience should prove vital as a relatively youthful side seeks to head back into European football next term.
Indeed, with Casemiro heading toward the climax of his United stay, Lewandowski could represent the perfect elder statesman to replace him.
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