Why Manchester United should avoid a move for Mario Mandzukic
Manchester United’s problems continue after their 2-0 loss to West Ham United.
The Red Devils had their chances to score past their opponents but the Hammers made them pay with two quality finishes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s problems increased with Marcus Rashford picking up an injury, and the Red Devils are down to their bare-bones with fit attackers.
Manchester United were linked with Mario Mandzukic in the summer and Tuttosport claims that they could move for the Croatian forward in the winter window (h/t Express).
United might be desperate for more firepower after allowing Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to leave, but Mandzukic isn’t the answer for them.
A striker in the final years of his career
Mandzukic is one of the hardest working forwards in the world but he hasn’t played a single game for Juventus this season.
The 33-year-old doesn’t have several years left in him and he isn’t the quickest on the pitch either.
The Red Devils have always played counter-attacking football, something that Solskjaer is also trying to continue, and that won’t be possible with Mandzukic on the field.
The forward only managed nine league goals last season, but it was always going to be difficult to score with Cristiano Ronaldo in the side.
What United need is a quick forward who can link up well with the wide
The Croatian would be a great target man but United need more than that to solve their problems.
They need to find a striker who scored 20 goals a season, something that Lukaku could have done.
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Rashford needs more time to hone his skill as a striker and Solskjaer has to take some big decisions in the transfer window.
Verdict
Mandzukic isn’t the right kind of player to solve United’s woes at the top of the attack, and they don’t need an ageing player at Old Trafford at the moment.