Zlatan Ibrahimovic just looked like he was getting back on-song.
Jose Mourinho had been coming under pressure to drop the Swede if his barren run continued, but a brace against struggling Swansea showed he can cut it in the Premier League after all – even, with all due respect, against one of the lesser sides United will face this season.
The Red Devils would have liked him to replicate that in a fortnight against Arsenal, but he now won’t be able to do so.
As the Mirror have pointed out, Ibra picked up his fifth booking of the season in South Wales, which means he’ll now have to serve a one-game ban.
That could pave the way for Marcus Rashford’s return in his position, though it’s possible Wayne Rooney could also be given a chance up front as he seeks to equal Sir Bobby Charlton’s record of 249 Manchester United goals – he’s currently on 247 after his midweek strike against Fenerbahce.
It’s not as if United are desperately short of options up front – though their defence is looking pretty ropey – but Mourinho could really have done with his main man against the Gunners.
Arsenal have only lost once all season and that was on the opening day, so there’s a danger United could be overawed by Arsene Wenger’s side. Zlatan is never overawed, but he’ll have to wield any influence he has over his team-mates from the stands.
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