3 huge signings that would match Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s ambitions at Manchester United

Manchester United missed the chance to pile the pressure on the Premier League’s top four after only managing a 1-1 draw at home to Everton on Tuesday night.

Jose Mourinho’s men fell behind to Phil Jagielka’s first half header, although Zlatan Ibrahimovic, returning from a three-match ban for elbowing Tyrone Mings, slotted home a penalty in the dying minutes to preserve United’s unbeaten league run.

The Red Devils are now unbeaten in their last 20 Premier League matches, dating back to their 4-0 defeat to Chelsea on October 23, but are still four points adrift of Manchester City in fourth after a 12th draw of the campaign.

And goal-scorer Ibrahimovic, who has now netted 27 times in all competitions this term, made it clear prior to yesterday’s clash that the club must match his ambitions for him to remain a United player next season.

He said (via The Telegraph): ‘A lot of things have to be settled.

‘Everything depends on what you want and what the club wants, what the vision of the club is because I said from day one I didn’t come here to waste time, I came here to win.

‘If you want to win bigger then you have to create bigger.’

With United linked with many high-profile players over the last few months or so, you sense that for the 35-year-old to remain at Old Trafford, Mourinho is going to have to land some of them in the summer.

Thus, here are THREE huge summer signings that could match Ibrahimovic’s ambitions, and thus keep the Swede at the club next term…

Isco

Real Madrid midfielder Isco has seen his gametime at the Bernabeu reduce significantly this season under manager Zinedine Zidane.

The 24-year-old has started just 14 of their 28 La Liga games this term, and with just 77 minutes of Champions League football under his belt as well, he’s clearly not in Zidane’s regular first team plans.

His future has been subject to speculation for a while now, with Tottenham, Chelsea, Manchester City, and Manchester United all linked, and he is the exact calibre of player who would seriously strengthen Mourinho’s side.

Isco can play pretty much anywhere across the middle, be it in a slightly more defensive role or even in the number ten, so his versatility would provide the United boss with several options.

Clearly, it’s a deal they need to get done if they are to be competing for the title next season.

Romelu Lukaku

Everton striker Romelu Lukaku has reportedly rejected a new contract offer at Goodison Park, throwing his future at the Merseyside outfit into doubt.

The Belgian is the Premier League’s top-scorer with 21 goals in 30 games this season, although didn’t find the net in their 1-1 draw with United on Tuesday night.

The 23-year-old has got all the capabilities to go on and become one of the world’s best forwards, but it’s clear that he wants to be part of a team challenging for major honours – it has been eight years since Everton reached a cup final.

Thus, with his future at the club is doubt, Mourinho should make a move for Lukaku in the summer.

United have reportedly been interested in the forward in the past, and they should make that interest concrete in the summer with a bid, as it’s clear that they are overly reliant on Ibrahimovic, and need someone else to chip in with crucial goals.

Lukaku could do just that.

Antoine Griezmann

United’s biggest issue this season has been their lack of goals – they have scored just 43 Premier League goals this term, only 21 of which have come at Old Trafford.

However, bringing Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann to the club would go some way to addressing their goal-scoring problems.

The 26-year-old was the star of Euro 2016 given that he scored six goals in seven games for the host nation as they reached the final, and given his recent seasons in Spain, he is one of the most prolific forwards in European football.

Griezmann scored 32 goals in just 54 games for Diego Simeone’s side last term, and this season has continued his excellent form in front of goal, netting 22 times in 41 matches for Atletico.

United have been repeatedly linked with the forward over the last six months or so, and it would be a huge statement of intent if they were to place a huge bid for the Frenchman this summer.

That would surely be the sort of ambition Ibrahimovic would want to see from the Red Devils in the off season.

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