Zlatan Ibrahimovic Names United’s Most Important Player
Reuters / Phil Noble
Zlatan Ibrahimovic recently signed a new one-year contract with Manchester United, but in customary fashion, the big Swede is making headlines for his opinions.
After re-signing for the Red Devils, Ibrahimovic conceded in a recent interview with ESPN that he feels Henrikh Mkhitaryan would be United’s most crucial player this season whilst going forward.
It is shocking that the hitman didn’t choose Paul Pogba or Romelu Lukaku to be the Mancunian club’s most important player, given the fact that the entire team is built around them.
The Swede opined that the Armenian is the most vital cog in Jose Mourinho’s machinery, but doesn’t get the same recognition and fame as some of his team-mates, only because he hails from a small country.
Zlatan was quoted as saying: “I think this season will be the season of Mkhitaryan.
“People underestimate him because he doesn’t have the name like the other ones in the world, it could be because he comes from a small country like he comes from but this year he will get the credit he deserves and the quality that he is. My bet is on Mkhitaryan.”
Reuters / Darren Staples
The former PSG man also noted that while Mkhitaryan had a slow start to life at Old Trafford, he rediscovered his usual stride in the second half of the season, and was instrumental in United’s Europa League victory.
“Last season he struggled a little bit in the beginning, then he came up when he started to play and this season he has opened the season fantastic,” the Swede added.
The interview couldn’t have ended without some Zlatan banter, and the lanky striker didn’t disappoint this time either. In true Zlatan style, he joked that he would have Mkhi dropped if he didn’t assist him: “If he doesn’t provide me he will not play. I’m joking!”
While Ibrahimovic was in a rather jovial mood, he just might have made an extremely valid point. Mkhitaryan is one of those players who does the job silently.
In a season where United’s talisman Pogba failed to majorly impress, it was only the Armenian who pulled the strings for United. And who knows, this might just turn out to be the season where Mkhi truly announces himself on the biggest stage.
Written by Soumyarendra Barik 
Feels that every year is going to be Bayern Munich’s. Started off as a broadcast journalist with NDTV, but his love for writing brings him to the online world. A staunch believer!