Manchester United’s summer of change under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will most likely result in striker Romelu Lukaku, the second costliest player in Manchester United history, leaving the club, with Inter Milan his most likely destination. A recent report has indicated that Inter could let go of their former captain and star striker Mauro Icardi, who had a bust-up with the Inter management and looks set to leave the club. The report by Express says that Icardi could move to Old Trafford with Lukaku going in the other direction before the start of the next season.
The Argentine has been an integral player for the Italian side over the last six seasons, scoring bucketloads of goals, despite Inter not faring very well in Serie A.
Let’s take a look at 3 reasons why Manchester United should pounce on this opportunity:
Fox in the box
One of Icardi’s key qualities is his ability to score and be lethal in and around the penalty box, the quintessential “fox in the box” – a player who thrives when the ball is in the penalty box. The Argentinian has been a prolific scorer, scoring 124 times for Inter Milan in 219 appearances for the club, ever since he made the switch to the club in 2013. Icardi is the kind of player that Manchester United have missed over the years. United have always had a player similar to him, who is a great finisher in the box, with the likes of Javier Hernandez, Ruud van Nistelrooy, or even current Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer possessing that quality.
Leadership and experience
Icardi has been quite a controversial personality over the years, mostly for his off-field behaviour and controversies, but what Icardi does add to the pitch is his dogged spirit and leadership which has also been another element missing in the Manchester United dressing room. The inclusion of Icardi to the Manchester United set-up could go two ways: he drives the team on and transfers his energy to the rest of the team; or, he rubs everyone the wrong way and leaves the club in a year. It’s easy to forget that Icardi is just 26 years of age, but has over 250 appearances in top-flight Italian football. He is an experienced footballer who has delivered consistently and could adapt easily to the Premier League’s style of play.
Better movement and positioning
An area in Romelu Lukaku’s game that was highly criticised was his movement, and how he slowed down United’s quick attacks with his laboured and slow play. Icardi is a player whose movement without the ball is much better than Lukaku, with his smart runs dragging away defenders and making space for his teammates to exploit. Lukaku was also criticised for dropping too deep at times and not playing as the focal point of Manchester United’s attacks, which is another area where Icardi is far superior.
Icardi could prove to be an inspired signing, one that could galvanise the team and help the Red Devils get back to the top of the pile in the Premier League.
