This article is part of Football FanCast’s Opinion series, which provides analysis, insight and opinion on any issue within the beautiful game, from Paul Pogba’s haircuts to League Two relegation battles…
Mario Mandzukic has had a brilliant career so far.
The now 33-year-old veteran has seen it all and practically conquered it all as well – from Croatia to Germany and to Italy, the World Cup runner up can boast a plethora of experience.
But now, it seems that his Juventus adventure is all but finished. Or at least that’s what it looks like at the very moment.
After all, he is yet to tally a single minute in the ongoing 2019/20 campaign and was looking destined to join Manchester United in the January transfer window already.
But things took a slight turn as The Athletic (via the Sun) have reported that the Red Devils have actually dropped their interest in the 33-year-old and won’t be looking to bring him to the Premier League.
The same reports mention that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s crew are not really convinced by Mandzukic’s fitness and will be going after Haaland instead.
And despite the fact that Maurizio Sarri has so far frozen the Croatian out of the squad, this update shouldn’t be seen as a bad thing over in Turin.
Despite being 33 and out of favour, Mandzukic hasn’t lost his quality and is still very much that fighter we all know.
After all, last season he managed to play 33 games for Juventus across all competitions, tallying ten goals and six assists in the process. He also averaged 1.2 shots and 1.2 key passes along with a solid defensive shift with 1.4 tackle and 0.5 interceptions per game in Serie A.
Needless to say, he’s the workhorse that puts the team first and is willing to sacrifice his own individual glory for the benefit of the collective.
Just recently, he was also lauded as a man who has the “absolute will to win” by Lothar Matthaus who was speaking to Sky Germany and recommending Borussia Dortmund to snatch the Croat away from Juventus:
“Both [Can and Mandzukic] have this absolute will to win something and have already done so at national and international level.”
By all means, the Bianconeri could also use someone like him and luckily, he’s already there and they should use his last good years the best way they can.
This is especially true considering they’re chasing that coveted Champions League trophy.
Surely a man who’s already won it and came this close to being crowned the champion of the world can help them with that.
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