Zlatan Ibrahimovic 'Just Stands a Lot' for Manchester United, Says Michael Owen

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has come in for criticism from former Manchester United striker Michael Owen, who claimed the Swedish superstar lacks any movement in his play.

Ibrahimovic netted a 69th-minute winner for United at Old Trafford on Thursday against Zorya Luhansk to seal a 1-0 win for the Red Devils—his sixth competitive goal for the club in 10 appearances.

However, Owen was unimpressed, saying that the 34-year-old's physicality allows him to get away with simply standing in one spot, per BT Sport (via Samuel Luckhurst in the Manchester Evening News).

"His movement disappoints me a bit. He just stands a lot," Owen said. "Because of his height he gets away with it. There was no movement from him. He just tends to stand at the back post and wait for the ball. There were a few crosses tonight, and he stayed in the same position."

In line with Owen's comments, Ibrahimovic's goal against Zorya did come as a result of him positioning himself on the back post, per BT Sport Football:

However, the former Liverpool and England star's criticism seems unduly harsh given the veteran forward's recent goalscoring record, per Sky Sports Statto:

Unlike Owen in his playing days, the former Paris Saint-Germain, AC Milan, Juventus and Barcelona star has rarely relied on bursts of pace and movement to create space for himself, and especially not now that he is in the latter stages of his career.

Yet he still has an uncanny ability to get on the ball in goalscoring positions, as proved by his remarkable attempts statistics so far in the 2016-17 Premier League season, per WhoScored.com:

Ibrahimovic's physicality continues to make him a menace for opposition defenders even if, as Owen says, he invariably just waits for the ball to come to him.

The Swede's winning goal eased the pressure on Jose Mourinho's men in the Europa League, earning them a much-needed victory after they lost their group-stage opener at Feyenoord.

Ibrahimovic will look to get on the scoresheet once again on Sunday when United play Stoke City at Old Trafford, especially after he failed to find the net in the Red Devils' last Premier League clash, their 4-1 drubbing of Leicester City.