Zlatan Ibrahimovic is set to leave Manchester United this summer and the Red Devils will have to sign a replacement with only Marcus Rashford a viable replacement in the current squad, with Anthony Martial preferring a wide role on the left.
Why not Rashford?
Rashford, 19, is still very young and as much as he seems to thrive of high pressure situations time and time again, he needs to be brought through at United very steadily for him to become the best he can.
Not only benefiting himself but also the England national team. United need to rely less on the very talented Manchester born and bred youngster.
In fairness, the Europa League champions showed signs of that throughout last season with Zlatan Ibrahimovic picking up the mantle.
United need a world class goal scorer
Whilst United have talent in Rashford and Martial, they are still players in the very early stages of their careers and growing not just as footballers, but as people too.
Aside from Ibra, United have lacked a free scoring, consistent top level number 9 for far too long.
I would like to see Martial be given the role, but after last season, he’s not an option. We simply cannot put all faith in the inconsistent, yet insanely talented Frenchman.
Is Morata world class?
I’ve long thought Alvaro Morata is one of the most underrated forwards in world football.
Even at 24, Morata comes with bags of experience, featuring in three Champions League finals.
Morata has two winners’ medals to his name and scored for Juventus in their 3-1 final loss to Barcelona in 2015.
At 24, it’s tough to call a player world class with much degree of certainty, especially when he isn’t a first choice for his club. In his defence, he does play for Real Madrid, arguably the greatest football club on the planet.
Morata’s platform
Tying into the last point, I truly think Morata is not far from greatness.
Despite making 43 appearances for Real Madrid this season, he’s only completed six full 90 minute games.
Playing second fiddle to Karim Benzema under Frenchman Zinedine Zidane’s management, hasn’t been the greatest help, but he’s still been able to score 20 goals for the Spanish giants.
All Morata needs to fulfil his unquestionable potential is a manager that believes in him and a football club where be the first choice number 9 and prosper.
Jose Mourinho and Manchester United can provide that platform, whatever the cost may be.
Written by Jordan Hackett
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