Diego Forlan writes a weekly column for The National, appearing each Friday. The former Manchester United, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid striker has been the top scorer in Europe twice and won the Golden Boot at the 2010 World Cup. Forlan’s column is written with the assistance of European football correspondent Andy Mitten.
Three big personalities will be in Manchester next year, three people who’ve clashed before and will likely clash again: Jose Mourinho and Zlatan Ibrahimovic at United, and Pep Guardiola at City. All three are great signings.
We’ll be watching a clash of cultures in the same city. Mourinho and Guardiola are two of the best managers in the world, and they find success in different ways. Guardiola’s teams like to move the ball around quickly, attack, search for space and break down opponents. They dominate possession.
Mourinho’s teams differ. I’ve played against them and they’re strong defensively, well organised too. At Atletico, we knew we’d have our work cut out against them, that they’d fight for everything, but we respected them and we respected him as a coach. They wait for their chance to hurt opponents, be it via a set piece or the skill of an outrageously talented forward like Zlatan. Mourinho’s sides are physically strong and limit chances for the opposition.
Mourinho and Zlatan are good choices for United. They’re experienced winners who’ve been successful wherever they’ve been. Mourinho already knows England well, unlike Louis van Gaal who was shocked by the intensity of games, especially over Christmas.
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I played against both managers, and I first saw Zlatan when United played in the Ajax tournament pre-season. He was big, with fine control for a player of his size. He was being well schooled at Ajax, too. I watched him throughout his career and played against him when he was at Barça under Guardiola. He did well there, and scored the winner against Real Madrid, but his personality didn’t fit and he left after a season.
Zlatan can act as the reference point up front that United need. He has the personality and presence like Eric Cantona. He’s 34, an age when your pace has started to slow, but his game isn’t about speed and he’s still playing at a very high level. I have more confidence in him being a success straight away than Angel di Maria, who was new to English football, or Radamel Falcao, who was still getting over an injury.
Wayne Rooney, Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay can play around Zlatan. He’ll take pressure off all of them, pressure which was clear last season as United struggled to score goals. Wayne is better used up front than in midfield. I’m glad Mourinho said that.
You might be surprised that I mentioned Depay, a player who has been written off after a poor first season. Players need time to settle, especially in England where the football is different. He was hardly walking into a successful team, either. I’d give him more time. And the same with Bastian Schweinsteiger, a top player who deserves a second season. Few top German players need to leave the Bundesliga. They should be given time when they do – and that will apply to Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who was voted the best player in the Bundesliga by his fellow professionals. That’s some respect, but he’ll still need time.
Fans get really excited when new players sign, even when it’s players they know little about. There are YouTube compilations in which everyone is easily as good as Lionel Messi. I’d urge more patience, but Mourinho is the man to get United back at the top after three difficult years.
He was outspoken and up front in his first press conference, creating headlines with his words. His confidence comes from his own success and record. He’s got so much self-assured arrogance, but justifiably. It’s a positive thing. If he doesn’t believe in himself then who will? Zlatan is the same. It makes them the people they are.
I know players who’ve played under Mourinho, and they think he’s so brash to take the pressure off of them. He becomes the focus for the media, which keeps growing around the world. A post-match interview is now not enough – he’ll be photographed arriving at training each day or when he goes shopping, his every expression studied. It’s all a bit crazy.
Mourinho’s actions allow his players to concentrate on training and playing – a good thing for those new to England. Players appreciate that, though Mourinho must also be respectful to United. He can’t start poking rival coaches in the eye, bringing the club down and falling out with people as he’s done elsewhere. He’s already hated – but then so are United by anyone who doesn’t support them. Like United, Mourinho divides opinions. He’s hated and loved, but he needs to earn the love of United fans. And they will give it if he wins football matches and trophies.
Mourinho has already made three signings. It’s better to get them done early because it brings certainty. He wants one more. If it’s Paul Pogba, then he’s a great player and one United should never have let go. I’m not convinced that will be enough. United have a very average outfield compared with the best, but in David De Gea, they do have a superb goalkeeper. In Sergio Romero, they also have a superb reserve ’keeper, the first choice for Argentina. He’s very highly rated in South America. The rest of the team, however, has needed strengthening. Credit to United for acting fast to do that, and I hope it means I can start looking forward to watching my old club again.
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