MANCHESTER, Sporting Alert – With Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic reportedly set to join Manchester United, Sky Sports looks at the possible formation Jose Mourinho could play.
We all know where Ibrahimovic will be playing, as his strongest and most productive place to feature is as a centre-forward.
The Sweden striker has belted in goals in that position for every team he has played for, including Barcelona, Inter Milan and most recently PSG.
However, unlike Ibrahimovic, Mkhitaryan can play more than one positions, which makes him the ideal kind of player for Mourinho, who likes to use an attacking fluid trio in support of his main striker.
And if Mourinho decides to stick with his 4-2-3-1 formation, then we could see a change in position for Mkhitaryan, but it would be a place in which he is very well capable of operating.
Wayne Rooney is expected to start his new life in midfield so this will open up the centre-forward slot for Zlatan Ibrahimovic to slip into.
Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford, two players who were exceptional last season for Manchester United, could be forced out wide to add needed pace to the side, while Mkhitaryan could be slotted into the No. 10 spot behind Ibrahimovic.
Rooney’s partner in central midfield could be the experienced Michael Carrick, which has to spark concerns for the likes of fan favourites Juan Mata and Ander Herrera, as well as Marouane Fellaini and Bastian Schweinsteiger.
In defence, Chris Smalling is expected to be partnered by new recruit Eric Bailly, with Luke Shaw and Matteo Darmian joining them.
While Herrera looks destined to feature heavily in Mourinho’s plans, Mata, Schweinsteiger and Fellaini could be on their way out of Old Trafford before the summer transfer window closes.
There are talks about a possible arrival for Paul Pogba, but a deal for the Juventus and French midfielder looks very unlikely this summer.
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