Mesut Ozil can replace Henrikh Mkhitaryan and take on David Silva role for Man United

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  • Mesut Ozil has been linked with a move to Man United

    There should be no debate as to whether Manchester United need Mesut Ozil. They do and desperately because their attack, as it stands, is not good enough to win the Premier League.

    Statistically United may have fired in as many goals as Manchester City before Pep Guardiola’s men smashed seven past Stoke but their weaknesses up front have been apparent since the start of the season.

    Ten of their 21 Premier League goals so far have arrived in the last 10 minutes of games – which begs the question of what United are doing in the first 80.

    It’s all well and good capitalising when the opponent pushes forward in one last throw of the dice but one day, United’s luck will turn if they don’t press home their advantage sooner.

    Splitting hairs? Not really. Though the Red Devils may have more menace about them this season, they are trying to chase down a City side that are raising the bar to improbable heights.

    So let’s break it down in two ways: why United’s current personnel are not up to scratch, and what makes Ozil a superior option.

    MADDENING MKHITARYAN

    Henrikh Mkhitaryan racked up assists at a rate which had fantasy footballers owners frothing at the mouth earlier in the season – but to suggest he has been a consistent force is pure fantasy too.

    The Armenian’s five Premier League assists so far this season all came in August and the habitual fluctuation in form which earned him a flea in the ear from Jose Mourinho last season clearly remains.

    He is undeniably electric on the counter, and his quality of passing can be very good indeed. But when he’s not in sync with the rest of the team he starts dawdling on the ball to compound the problem.

    Before the international break, against lowly Crystal Palace, his passing completion rate was 60 per cent. For someone who is supposed to be directing the attack as a No10 to be so inaccurate is inexcusable.

    His slump reached a nadir on Wednesday as in a game which needed an artist to brush aside a stubborn Benfica defence, Mkhitaryan lost the ball a staggering 21 times.

    Compare those type of statistics to City’s ace in the hole, David Silva. When play gets compact in the final third no one is better than the diminutive Spanish maestro in protecting the ball and keeping the play alive.

    He does not play as an out-and-out No10 and often comes deeper, but wherever he flits about on the field he treats the ball with utmost respect.

    He has a 90 per cent pass success rate so far this year and, what’s more, he is fiendishly hard to dispossess – having been knocked off the ball seven times in eight EPL games this year to Mkhitaryan’s 16.

    Simply put, Mkhitaryan’s game isn’t about patience. And for the lack of a Silva on the open market it is no surprise that the rumour mill is cranking into overdrive about Ozil.

    Mkhitaryan lost the ball 21 times in the clash with Benfica

    Mkhitaryan lost the ball 21 times in the clash with Benfica

    THE ANSWER IS OZIL

    Arsenal fans will not be sending Ozil off with their best wishes and heartfelt gratitude. Even putting aside his contract stand-off, there are a few ugly blots against his name.

    He is lazy, flatters to deceive, is inconsistent, doesn’t show enough emotion – all charges which have done the rounds during Ozil’s Arsenal career.

    Well, United aren’t looking for a man to lead the charge from the front and snap at heels. They have Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford et al to do that, with either Paul Pogba or Ander Herrera buzzing about from behind and Nemanja Matic on mop up duty.

    That’s not to say Ozil would be allowed to prance around – the anecdote of Mourinho sending a rocket up his backside while at Madrid has been doing the rounds – but this is the one area of a Jose side which does not require brute power and pace to work.

    The German will be the key cutter in this team, the man who can pry open a door before the others steam through. Say what you want about Ozil’s admittedly poor form, but last year he made three key passes a game on average and was dispossessed fewer times than Kevin De Bruyne and Christian Eriksen in the Premier League.

    A change of scenery, in a more well-rounded team, will surely play to his strengths. It’s a move that United can afford to take an educated gamble on and while he is not a Ballon D’Or nominee in waiting, patience in attack is exactly what is needed at Old Trafford right now.

    As Silva has proved this year, brawn is no match for brains.

    Jose Mourinho chats to Ozil during their time together at Madrid

    Jose Mourinho chats to Ozil during their time together at Madrid

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