Zlatan Ibrahimovic may be 35 years old, but as the Manchester United striker is proving this season, age is just a number for him. The Sweden international has been, without a doubt, the best outfield player for United this campaign.
Signed on a free transfer in the summer of 2016, Zlatan has been banging in the goals left, right and center for the Red Devils. The former Paris Saint-Germain star has scored 17 goals and provided five assists for United, and there is still a chance that he could end up as the top scorer in the English Premier League this season.
Given the impact Ibrahimovic has had at Old Trafford, it would make perfect sense for United to hand the striker a new contract. The forward will be 36 in October, but he seems to be getting better with age. United are certainly rich enough to afford the former Barcelona star’s wages for one more year.
The outspoken Swede, though, has been uncharacteristically coy about his future and has yet to make a decision what he will do in the summer, at least publicly. United are unlikely to finish in the top four of the EPL this season, but they are the favorites to clinch the Europa League and feature in the 2017-18 Champions League campaign, Maybe Ibrahimovic is waiting to see how the team fare in the Europa League before making a decision.
Recent reports have been linking Ibrahimovic with a move to Major League Soccer in the summer transfer window, with Los Angeles Galaxy claimed to be interested. Having played in most of the major domestic leagues in Europe, it should not come as a surprise to anyone if the 35-year-old striker decides to move to the USA.
Over the past several years, a number of high-profile players have left Europe for MLS. David Beckham, Frank Lampard, Steven Gerrard, Robbie Keane and Mikael Silvestre all played in the USA, while Ashley Cole is still based in the country. The difference with Ibrahimovic is that he is still at the top of the game and will not be heading to MLS to wind down.
The quality of football in MLS has improved in recent years, and it is now a very competitive domestic league. There have been four different winners of the MLS Cup in the last four years. Viewership of MLS is also on the rise, and the “soccer market” in the US is growing. Ibrahimovic is only going to enhance the reputation of the league. The United star is a character, and someone like him will be great PR for MLS.
Major League Soccer should be looking to move on from the days of attracting high-profile players who had run their course in Europe. It is time for the league to bring in footballers who are still able to play at the top level and have a lot to offer. Ibrahimovic is still good enough to play for any of the top teams in Europe, and if LA Galaxy are able to secure his services in the summer transfer window, then it would be a massive coup, both for the club and for the league.
