Manchester United’s dependence on Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been surprising this season. What has been even more surprising, though, is that the big Swede’s absence through his recent suspension has not cost the team. It has, if anything, made Jose Mourinho use members of his squad that he would perhaps have not afforded the same number of minutes in this stretch of games.
For the most part, then, it has been a positive experience. It has reduced Ibrahimovic to Europa League action, giving the freakishly durable veteran a brief rest from the week to week hustle and bustle of Premier League action.
Mourinho is not renowned for his resting of stars and maybe Ibrahimovic needed this rest more than anyone could have realised. We will never really know that, of course. Either way, Manchester United could come through unscathed despite losing their goal-dominant striker as the top four jostling became that bit more aggressive. The final hurdle without Ibrahimovic is a Tony Pulis led side, West Bromwich Albion.
Although they aren’t travelling to the Hawthorns, Manchester United will be well aware of the threat the Baggies pose. Pulis regularly architects spectacular rearguard actions with his famed 6-3-1 setup and his side are fresh from humbling Arsenal prior to the international break. An Arsene Wenger Arsenal are a different animal from a Jose Mourinho Manchester United, but the intent from Pulis’ side will be identical. Sit deep, defend the width of the box and attack with balls as direct as possible when they turn it over in midfield.
West Brom are the masters of the set piece – as they also proved against Arsenal – and will take advantage of any uncertainty in the Manchester United defence.
If there is ever a match where Mourinho could be praying for individual magic or divine Zlatan-esque intervention it is West Brom. Able to frustrate, niggle and stall an opponent like no other side in the league, Ibrahimovic has often been the man to break deadlocks and find the net when no one else seems capable for Manchester United this season.
The responsibility will be handed to other, less experienced players. Talented, sure, but Marcus Rashford is still plagued by the inconsistencies of youth and is unable to physically compete with the aggressive Baggies defenders like Ibrahimovic would have done. Their quality should ultimately shine through, but without Ibrahimovic they could lack the sort of focal point and central distractor of the defence that could have been so very key.
With Arsenal facing Manchester City and Liverpool playing Everton, this could be a turning point in the top four race. There are millions on the line for all parties and the prestige of Champions League football will await for some, but it could be the absence of one of the sport’s biggest characters that will be the real story.
Manchester United should be able to beat West Brom without Ibrahimovic, whether they go ahead and do just that will be a pivotal moment in their season. If not, they’ll end up paying the price for their over-reliance on one man.
