Manchester United’s transfer strategy has been hard to predict in recent years. The proposed deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic, which could see him costing the club more than £200,000 a week, is the latest in a long line of confusing transfers. While undoubtedly a world class talent, Ibrahimovic is far from the youthful prospects the club would prefer to target. An ageing star, with no previous Premier League experience, Ibrahimovic counts as a significant risk which could backfire on both parties. While he brings much-needed star quality and a marketable international name, many worry this is another cynical marketing decision by a club more concerned with profit over success. Yet one thing you can guarantee from Zlatan is self-belief. The arrogance exhibited throughout his career is an attribute Manchester United have sorely missed in recent seasons.
The United hierarchy and Jose Mourinho could be taking a gamble. Or maybe that arrogance and star quality is exactly what a club in the midst of an identity crisis needs. In the recent fallow period, it has been evident that many teams visiting Old Trafford now do so without fear. Both David Moyes and Louis van Gaal achieved unenviable records by succumbing to home defeats to many teams for the first time. In more successful times, the Manchester United sense of entitlement would see them snatch victory from the jaws of defeat in the final moments of these games. But a recent crisis of self-belief has caused reduced levels of success on the pitch. The great United sides of the past knew the value of a streak of arrogance running through the team. That the confidence of an outstanding talent had the power to lift a team to greatness.
From his renaissance in 2007 to his inevitable departure to Madrid in 2009, Cristiano Ronaldo used his formidable talent and ego to drive United to Premier League and European domination. Labelled by many as a poser when he first arrived, his strength of self-belief and desire to become the best in the world raised the level of both the players and club around him. Eric Cantona had a strength of personality which seemed to lift the club and provide the belief required to win trophies during the early years of the Premier League. His quality laid the foundations for the successful years the club would enjoy in the nineties. Looking back even further, George Best became known as the first celebrity footballer with his huge ego and ever-quotable wit. Believed by many, including himself, to be one of the greatest footballers who ever lived, his contribution brought United two first division titles and their first European Cup.
This winning arrogance is not solely a Manchester United trait. In fact, most of the best club sides have these types of players. Manchester City won their first title thanks to the ego of Yaya Toure and the bravado of Mario Balotelli. Arjen Robben, a player who has succeeded almost everywhere, is certainly not short of self-belief. Nor should he be, judging by the titles won in England, Spain and Germany. It is even tempting to wonder how Leicester City would have fared last season, were it not for the unwavering self-belief of Jamie Vardy. As the team grew in stature throughout the campaign, the audacious goal-scoring exploits of Vardy did as much as anything else to give them the belief needed to win the title. Yet unwavering self-belief is not always a guarantee of success. Memphis Depay joined United with a reputation for extreme self-confidence. He has since struggled to make any sort of impact in England. Though there remains a chance that a new manager and a new style will see him fulfil his potential.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo left for Real Madrid, the role of “star player” has often fallen upon the shoulders of Wayne Rooney. Yet, a heroic Euro 2004 aside, this role has rarely suited him. Rooney offers the fight and passion typically associated with English footballers but can also seem cursed with their lack of self-belief. It is obvious that Rooney’s best work at club level came when in service of a more magnetic talent such as that of Ronaldo. In truth, the arrogance and sense of entitlement were a huge part of how United inspired fear in those visiting Old Trafford. Many teams admitted that they felt beaten at the theatre of dreams before they had even left the tunnel. With this missing, United have struggled to regain their rhythm. This level of arrogance can be integral to the success of a team over the marathon of a league season.
The only guarantee in the English top flight is that setbacks will arise. The champions are always those with the strength of character to face these challenges and emerge victoriously. Landing Jose Mourinho as manager could be the first step to repairing the wounded ego of the club and supporters alike. To some, his arrogance and self-belief make him the only manager left with a mentality strong enough to lead the club. The combined ego of Ibrahimovic and Mourinho could be explosive or even disastrous, but it also has the potential to drive United on to great things. Ibrahimovic believes, in spite of his age and in-experience in this country, that he will prove himself in the rat race of the Premier League. If nothing else, his lack of fear should inspire those around him. Like the rich history of “arrogant” players to pull on the famous red shirt before him.
