Manager Jose Mourinho reportedly won’t bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United when the Paris Saint-Germain striker’s contract runs out this summer.

The new Old Trafford boss has been tipped to sign the prolific Swede he managed at Inter Milan, but the Sunday Times (h/t Uche Amako of the Sunday Express) has reported a different plan: “Jose Mourinho does not want to sign Zlatan Ibrahimovic and instead wants a young ‘top striker’.”

Speculation linking United with Ibrahimovic appeared to cool when his agent Mino Raiola told Swedish source Expressen (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News): “Everyone is harping on about only United, United, United. There are some clubs in England, a few clubs in Europe, clubs outside Europe, but everyone assumes that he must go to Manchester United, but it is not true.”

This is an about-face from both camps after Sky Sports News HQ recently suggested United was Ibrahimovic‘s preferred destination should he move to England:

Still, there are those who believe Mourinho snagging the 34-year-old goal-getter on a free transfer is a good idea. Among them, former Red Devils skipper Roy Keane told ITV (h/t MailOnline’s Adam Shergold): “I think he would be a good signing on a one-year deal. He is a big player, a big character. I have said that United have been lacking a few characters and he would be a good fit there.”

Yet now seems like a better time to promote some youth in United’s attack, especially after 18-year-old Marcus Rashford’s excellent debut season. The teenager, who recently won his first senior England cap, is set to be rewarded with a new contract, according to BBC Sport’s Simon Stone.

Fostering the promotion of talented youngsters, something key to United’s identity, has seemed like an issue for Mourinho, a manager hardly famed for putting his trust in youth. 

But he can soon rebuke those concerns by shunning Ibrahimovic in favour of options closer to their prime, rather than beyond it.

 

Michael Carrick Wants To Stay At United

One older player many United fans would likely love to see stick around is seasoned holding midfielder Michael Carrick. Out of contract this summer, the 34-year-old has indicated he’d like to stay at Old Trafford and work under Mourinho, per Sky Sports News HQ (h/t Allan Valente of Sky Sports):

There is going to be change, without doubt. He is coming in and he is his own man, he’s got an unbelievable track record and obviously everyone is looking for quick results and that’s how it is.

I’m not sure exactly the situation of who he is bringing in or anything like that just yet, we will have to wait and see on that one. For me, I’m hopeful, no news as of yet but we’ll have to wait and see what happens next week.

Carrick is perfect for Mourinho as a tactically astute midfielder expert at shielding the back four. He’d lend vital experience to a key role in the Portuguese strategist’s first season.

But Carrick’s time with United has appeared up, with clubs such as Arsenal, Everton, Newcastle United and West Ham United said to be interested, according to the Daily Mail‘s Simon Jones.

It would be a wise move for Mourinho to keep Carrick in the fold for one more season. He’s an influential figure in the dressing room and a savvy leader on the pitch. He’d also be an obvious fit at the base of the type of midfield three Mourinho usually favours.

The age of Mourinho‘s first United squad won’t be a concern if he quickly turns the Red Devils into Premier League title contenders again. Striking the right balance between potential and experience will be key.

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