Rooney-Ibrahimovic axis needs to be complemented by a dynamic runner

Zlatan Ibrahimovic usually makes a grand entrance, and it felt somewhat inevitable Manchester United’s new centre-forward would prove the matchwinner at Wembley. Overall, Ibrahimovic’s performance was relatively quiet, but he provided precisely what United were lacking throughout last season – killer instinct in the penalty box.

Ibrahimovic’s headed winner, from Antonio Valencia’s right-wing cross, was a classic centre-forward goal from Europe’s most consistent No9 over the past decade. But the Swede’s movement throughout the game demonstrated he is more than a goal poacher, which will prompt further questions about Wayne Rooney’s optimum role under José Mourinho.

The Swede played an interesting role during his three seasons with Paris Saint-Germain. Fielded up front in a 4-3-3, he generally remained in typical striking positions against Ligue 1’s minnows. But against serious opposition, particularly in the Champions League, he would drift into much deeper positions. He was a creator as well as a goalscorer, in the knowledge that PSG’s wide forwards would run in behind.

On his United debut, Ibrahimovic’s movement into deeper zones was particularly notable during the first half. Wes Morgan and Robert Huth prefer remaining close to their own penalty box rather than being dragged upfield, and Ibrahimovic likes to move towards play to collect short passes into feet. In truth, his link play was not particularly impressive, but it was obvious he wanted to become part of United’s buildup play.

Those deeper positions, however, are Rooney’s domain. Mourinho has declared he will not field his captain in central midfield, where he often played under Louis van Gaal, and for England at Euro 2016, and he started in his traditional No10 role here. At this early stage, however, there were minimal signs of harmony between United’s two centre-forwards. Ibrahimovic was dropping into the zone Rooney was occupying, and the latter showed few signs of bursting beyond his strike partner into goalscoring positions, prompting a couple of frustrated sighs between the duo when attempted passing combinations broke down.

It would be unfair to criticise their relationship after one game, but the question is whether Rooney still possesses the necessary dynamism to make continuous sprints and exploit the space created by Ibrahimovic, or whether they will simply play in front of opponents rather than offering penetration, which was a major problem under Van Gaal. Both players, you suspect, would prefer to play alongside a nippier, more mobile attacker at this stage of their careers.

That player was located out wide: Ibrahimovic’s arrival forced Anthony Martial to switch from No9 to No11 for 2016-17, and he will spend this season primarily on the left flank. The Frenchman could be crucial to making Ibrahimovic’s and Rooney’s relationship work, by providing powerful sprints from outside to in, as Edinson Cavani did alongside Ibrahimovic at PSG. But in this 4‑2‑3‑1 shape, and under this manager, United’s wide midfielders will have to spend plenty of time in their own half performing defensive duties.

The newcomer Henrikh Mkhitaryan played only a couple of minutes, while Paul Pogba’s signing is set to be confirmed this week, so United’s starting XI might be very different for their trip to Bournemouth on Sunday. Nevertheless, Mourinho is likely to devote time in training this week to improving United’s understanding in the final third, to bring out the best in his two star forwards.