The debate over Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to intensify. Despite having won a plethora of silverware at the top sides across Europe, the Swede has always had his detractors to deal with.
At 35 years old, and with United struggling at times under Jose Mourinho this season, the argument still continues not just with regards to his world class ability, but whether or not he is good enough to play for a potential title challenger in the Premier League.
After seeing him score two goals in Saturday’s 2-0 win over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday, making it seven goals in seven Premier League appearances, questions over his ability can be put to bed. However, the former Barcelona, Juventus and Paris Saint-Germain star’s statistics show that it may be more of a case of his United team-mates not being good enough for Ibra, rather than the opposite.
The forward has now scored 16 goals in all competitions this season; 11 more than any team-mate, Opta’s data shows.
11 - Only Ruud van Nistelrooy (12) scored more goals in his first 16 PL apps for Man Utd than Ibrahimovic (11 - also RVP and Cole). King.
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) December 17, 2016
Incredibly, only Ruud van Nistelrooy scored more goals in his first 16 Premier League appearances (12) than Ibrahimovic, who, with 11, is now level with Robin van Persie and Andy Cole.
The former Sweden talisman has netted in 100 of his 170 league games since the start of the 2011-12 season, scoring an awesome 152 goals in that period.
The promising figures for the Red Devils don’t stop with Ibrahimovic. Mourinho will be glad to see Wayne Rooney register his ninth assist in all competitions for the Red Devils this season, more than any other player.
The team are now unbeaten in eight Premier League games, having won and drawn four, their longest run without defeat in the competition since January 1st 2015, which lasted 10 matches.
> ..... - Goal