Striker Manchester United turned down now likened to Zlatan Ibrahimovic

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One-time Manchester United target Marcus Thuram is earning comparisons with Zlatan Ibrahimovic at Inter Milan after the Premier League giants decided against a summer deal. 

In truth, Marcus Thuram always felt a little ‘samey’. A bit ‘like-for-like’ perhaps. 

After all, Manchester United already had Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Anthony Martial. Three forwards who would consider themselves most effective when cutting in from the left onto their right foot.  

So, while Thuram must have been tempting to a club battling Financial Fair Play obstacles – he became a free-agent once his Borussia Monchengladbach contract expired – United opted to sink £64 million into Rasmus Hojlund instead, Fabrizio Romano explaining that the Red Devils wanted a ‘different’, more traditional number nine. 

Manchester United turned down Marcus Thuram chance

The logic of such a decision certainly stands up to scrutiny. 

That will not stop some from wondering if United could or should have looked to bring in Thuram alongside – rather than instead of Hojlund – with the France international proving himself to be one of the bargains of the summer at San Siro.

Fabio Cannavaro, Italy’s 2006 World Cup-winning captain, even sees similarities between Thuram and a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic during his early days in Italy.

“Marcus seems a bit like Ibra in his first years at Juve,” Cannavaro tells Calciomercato. “In Italy, he can develop a mean streak.” 

Both Thuram and Lautaro Martinez are at their best when they have another forward to bounce off, so it should come as no surprise that Inter’s new-look frontline already look like a match made in footballing heaven. Thuram has ten ‘goal contributions’ in just ten Inter appearances already. 

‘A bit like Ibra’

Another member of the Thuram family could still end up at Old Trafford, however. And those links with Khephren – Marcus’ younger brother and Nice’s talismanic playmaker – will only increase should Sir Jim Ratcliffe secure his stake in the Old Trafford outfit. 

“Khephren Thuram can play in any Italian team,” Cannavaro says of a rangy, ball-carrying midfielder also on Juventus’ radar. “If I were a Serie A club, I would sign him immediately. He would be useful for anyone.”