Lukaku and Ibrahimovic cannot play together at Man Utd

The Swedish striker made his first start in 261 days, playing as an attacking midfielder behind the Belgian, but without success.

For the first time in the 2017-2018 season, Jose Mourinho experimented with Romelu Lukaku and Zlatan Ibrahimovic playing together up front. The former Everton player played as a striker, while the senior Swede played as an attacking midfielder, in the No. 10 position.

However, both were ineffective, each only managing one shot in the entire match. Ibrahimovic even had to leave the field early, making way for Jesse Lingard - who then scored twice to help Man Utd escape defeat.

Ibrahimovic could not show much against Burnley on the evening of December 26. Photo: Offside

"It may have been an experiment, but it's best that it doesn't happen again, under any circumstances," Sports Mail commented on the performance of Man Utd's attacking duo. "Ibrahimovic has never played well in the attacking midfield position. He slowed down Man Utd's progress. As a result, both Ibrahimovic and Lukaku played poorly in this match."

Mourinho had been planning to play Ibrahimovic as an attacking midfielder since signing Lukaku, and had used the former Inter player in this position when coming off the bench a few matches ago. But against Burnley, the 36-year-old veteran was completely blocked. He only touched the ball 36 times, and passed 70% accurately, which is too low for an attacking midfielder.

"Part of Mourinho's desire is to improve his finishing ability after the draw with Leicester City. He wants two strikers who are capable of delivering the finishing blow on the pitch at the same time," the British daily analyzed.

"However, Mourinho's plan went awry, as evidenced by the fact that Man Utd were two goals down in the first half and he was forced to take Ibrahimovic off in the second half. With their backs to the opposition goal, they ran into the same space. Ibrahimovic was always too deep to receive the ball, and accidentally isolated Lukaku."

Lukaku and Ibrahimovic each had just one shot against Burnley. Photo: Offside

Ibrahimovic injured his knee ligaments at the end of April. He was expected to return in early 2018, but he made a miraculous recovery and started playing in November 2017. Some believe that the poor coordination between Man Utd's top scorer last season and the club's second most expensive new signing may have come from Ibrahimovic returning too soon, before he had fully recovered.

"The experiment of combining Lukaku and Ibrahimovic is unnecessary at this time. Man Utd's attacks often do not go through Ibrahimovic's feet. It seems that he has not found his sharpness since returning from a knee injury. Starting again after 261 days is not easy," commented Sports Mail.

"That was evident in Ibrahimovic's positioning. Crosses from both wings were aimed at Ibrahimovic outside the box. However, instead of using his speed to occupy space like a typical attacking midfielder, Ibrahimovic was slow to enter the box, letting the opportunity slip away."

Man Utd's No. 10 is still used to moving freely, as he always does when playing the highest position. This was evident when Ibrahimovic moved to the right wing, following Man Utd's attack, to face Burnley left-back Charlie Taylor. "No one recognized Ibrahimovic's position except Lukaku," Sports Mail concluded.

According to VNE