Man Utd News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic makes Henrikh Mkhitaryan a worse player - Paul Merson

Ibrahimovic scored 28 goals for Manchester United last season before leaving the club at the end of his contract.

However, he rejoined the Red Devils earlier this week on a one-year deal, after recovering quickly from a serious knee injury.

Merson does not understand the signing though and reckons it will be of detriment to Mkhitaryan.

The Armenian already has more assists this season than in his debut Premier League campaign in England but Merson reckons he prefers a nimble striker to provide for, something Ibrahimovic at 35 is not.

“I just don’t get it, I really don’t,” Merson said on Sky Sports.

“I know he got all those goals last season but who else had a great season last year? (Under) Herrera, (Antonio) Valencia, no one else. 

“Look at Mkhitaryan now, that won’t happen if Zlatan Ibrahimovic is up front. Look at the way they were breaking then, it was too slow. 

“For me Henrikh Mkhitaryan is one of the best players in the league, when he’s got pace around him like that. 

“I know people are coming to me and going ‘oh but he won’t play’. He’s not coming there to sit on the bench. 

“If (Romelu) Lukaku doesn’t score for two games, the fans will be singing his name, he’ll come on, he will nick a goal because that’s the way he plays and he’s still a good player but won’t be good enough for Man United, and then he’s in the team. 

“Then it all slows down again. He’s the other side of 35, he’s just had a bad injury. I know he keeps himself fit but I just don’t get it, I really don’t. 

“If I was Man City or I was Liverpool or I was Chelsea or Tottenham, I’d be wanting him coming back. I don’t think it helps Manchester United.”