Will the reintroduction of Zlatan Ibrahimović be a wholly good thing?

As Manchester United announced that Zlatan Ibrahimović will be returning to the club once he has fully healed from his long-term injury, one thought seemed ever-present, and that was: what will happen to Romelu Lukaku?

The Belgian international, who was signed from Everton for an initial £75m over the summer, has been in stellar form. It has surprised everyone to see how well suited and settled he is in José Mourinho’s team. Especially given the furore over the Portuguese boss selling him back when they were both at Chelsea.

Lukaku has scored 10 goals in nine appearances in all competitions, while also registering an assist. A quite electrifying start to his Manchester United career. Goals might be his forte, but he has also been such an integral part in getting this side to click in the manner it has.

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The team seems to compliment him so well that he cannot help but find the back of the net. With Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Henrikh Mkhitaryan all working off him – at different times – Lukaku’s chances never seem to dry up. Unlike Ibrahimović, the Belgian forward also does not need a second invitation to bury one home – he is ruthless in front of goal.

With the reintroduction of the Swedish legend, there could be a power struggle to fight for United’s main centre forward role. To begin with, not even the great Ibrahimović will usurp Lukaku, given it will take time for him to regain match fitness and get up to a competitive level.

But a few months down the line and Mourinho will have a (pleasing) problem. As shown last season, the Portuguese boss is loyal to his favoured striker. Even if Ibrahimović is playing badly, Mourinho will persist with him until he finds a way to break out from that poor form.

Manchester United look like genuine title contenders. They have finally found balance within their team and how they play. Lukaku spearheads that unity and is in such great form it would be a mistake if Mourinho dropped him to the bench anytime soon.

Even when Ibrahimović returns, match fit and raring to go, unless Lukaku is either injured or really struggling for goals – seems unlikely – in no way should he pave the way for the Swede to start each game. There has been a clear difference in United taking their chances this season compared to last. That has been, largely, down to Lukaku’s presence.

In an ideal world, given Ibrahimović’s experience, Mourinho would be able to use the Swedish centre forward as an impact sub or in games, perhaps in the Champions League, that were made for him. Whether or not Ibrahimović’s ego would allow this to be a realistic outcome remains to be seen, but it would be ever so intimidating to have him as an option to bring off of the bench.

Ibrahimović might be a fantastic centre forward, but his style is very one dimensional – it is to be expected when you are 35 years old. That dynamism is long gone and limits him into playing either into feet or a long ball tactic – something United have steered clear of this season so far by completing the third fewest amount of long balls.

With Lukaku, however, there are many different variations to his game. He is a smart and intelligent striker that he knows exactly when to peel off his marker and create space inside the area to attack the ball, or even to act as a dummy. His timing is always faultless.

The former Everton forward also has the speed aspect to his game that Ibrahimović never had in abundance. Lukaku is more than comfortable playing on the shoulder of the last man, ready for Mkhitaryan’s brilliance to slot a defence-splitting pass into his path and through on goal.

As you would expect, Lukaku has a fantastic relationship with Paul Pogba, his best friend. Already this season, before Pogba’s injury, it was easy to see that they play together in tandem, and are linking up magnificently well.

Lukaku is in the form of his life and Manchester United need to keep supplying him with the ball and playing to his strengths. There is no reason why he cannot end the season with 30+ goals in all competitions if his start is anything to go by.

Time will tell to see whether Ibrahimović will slot back in where he left off, but, in truth, he should not be starting ahead of Lukaku. The Belgian has proved already what he can bring and is, for now, locked in as Manchester United’s number nine.