Thread by @CheGiaevara

*THREAD*

What Manchester United would gain by signing Mario Mandzukic is one of Europe's absolute elite defensive strikers. In relation to pressing, suffocating your opponent, he is one of the absolute best there is. Even as he's about to become 33 years old. Let's have a look.

If we base this on the numbers, and the games where Mandzukic, Lukaku and Rashford all have played as the no.9 (18/19-season), the defensive numbers are pretty for the Croatian.

In terms of interceptions, he has 1.95 each game. Rashford is close with 1.72, with Lukaku at 1.09.

Looking at aerial duels won (in 18/19) , this is where you'd think Lukaku is head and shoulders above everyone. And he wins 6.9 pr game, which is 47.4%. Mandzukic? 6.49, which is 52.1%. Basically, United would lose little aerial presence, it seems. Rashford wins 2.7 (39.7%)

United seem to want to press higher? Well, Mandzukic recovered the ball 3.3 times on average each game in 18/19, whereas Lukaku average 1.6 (remember Mourinho system was to sit deeper). Rashford had 1.63. Still, it shows that Mandzukic is no slouch when it comes to the pressing

Looking at just pure defensive duels, this is where Mandzukic shows off with 3.42 on average pr game (18/19-season) (65.1%). Lukaku won 1.64 defensive duels (58,8%) while Rashford won 2.53 pr game (45.8%). Mandzukic is the first line of defense. (Numbers according to Wyscout)

NOTE: Numbers used are for matches in the Serie A/Premier League as well as the Champions League for the 2018/2019-season.

So, how do you fit Mandzukic into the team? In a 4-2-3-1 he becomes a bit of a false nine, because he enjoys to move out with, creating space for "the no.10", which could be one of several players (I've chose Rashford here). Mandzukic can also stay central and attack crosses.

You could probably also use him in a very, very narrow 4-4-2 diamond, if you wish to overcrowd the central areas and create numerical superiority centrally (hard to show with these pictures, looks a bit too scrambled). Mandzukic, anyways, CAN cover wide allowing Pogba to drift in

(I was not able to find the exact numbers on how much Mandzukic actually runs, but you would imagine he gets a lot of KMs simply based on his relentlessness)

And to add, he is a man for the big occasions. He has scored in two CL finals, as well as a World Cup final (in which he became historic for scoring for Croatia and France). He also has a weird habit of either scoring the 1-0-goal, or the 1-1-goal (I have no numbers on this now)

IN CONCLUSION: Though Paulo Dybala certainly is the one with the highest potential, and perhaps even the highest level offensively, gaining Mario Mandzukic and his work rate in any deal could help allow Man United's attacking prowess to shine