United have had some fine strikers in the Premier League era, as you would expect from it’s most successful team. Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the latest in a long line of talent, which is well worth running the rule over for the next 500 or so words.
It’ll be difficult to compare each of United’s great strikers in playing style, so a straight Premier League goals comparison will have to suffice, after all this is the strikers main job. So just how is Ibrahimovic comparing to United’s Premier League greats?
Ibrahimovic has been in sublime form in his first season at United, the legendary Swedish striker has bagged 15 goals in 25 league games, that’s a rate of 0.60 goals per game. This is very impressive and is even more remarkable given it is his first season in England and the 35 year old isn’t getting any younger.
Looking back, during the early days of the Premier League a certain Eric Cantona was strutting his stuff at Old Trafford, the Frenchman found the net 64 times in 143 league games for the Red Devils, a strike rate of 0.45 goals per game. Then came Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with a strike rate of 0.39 goals per game in his 235 league appearances for United.
Andy Cole netted 93 times in his 195 United appearances (0.48 goals per game) and Dwight Yorke scored 52 in 96 games (0.54 goals per game). None of the players mentioned so far can get close to Ibrahimovic’s strike rate since joining United, and these are great players who have won plenty of trophies at United.
The next great United striker on the conveyor belt was Ruud van Nistelrooy, if anyone can get close to the Swede you would think the prolific Dutchman would have the best chance. van Nistelrooy netted 95 goals in 150 league games for United, at a rate of 0.63 goals per game, essentially the same rate that Ibrahimovic is producing at now.
That just goes to show how impressive Ibrahimovic’s stats are, he adds so much to United’s all round game by holding the ball up and being a storng target man to play off. However, he can still net at the same rate as van Nistelrooy, who many perceive to be the Premier Leagues greatest ever poacher.
Next comes Wayne Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer who has 180 goals in 386 league games, a rate of 0.47 per game. Dimitar Berbatov netted 48 in 108 league games, a rate of 0.44 goals per game. Robin van Persie scored 48 in 86 league appearances at a rate of 0.56 goals per game. None of these modern-greats match what Ibrahimovic is doing this season, although in fairness Rooney has retreated to an attacking-mid role in recent years.
It’s clear that Ibrahimovic is one of the best strikers United have ever had, even at 35. The argument is even more convincing as most of the strikers mentioned in this article were competing at the very top of the league, in great United teams. Compare that to the current United team, who just can’t seem to move from 6th spot.
United will need Ibrahimovic to maintain his high level of performance when he returns from his 3 match violent conduct ban, their season depends on it.