Manchester United Transfer News: Zlatan Ibrahimovic Suits Louis Van Gaal Agenda

The Manchester United rumour mill will be in full flight as we approach the summer months with some of the best players on the planet linked with a move to Old Trafford. 

And now Red Devils legend Peter Schmeichel has given Louis van Gaal food for thought by suggesting the Dutch coach should target mercurial Paris Saint-Germain striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Sky Sports quoted Treble winner Schmeichel speaking to L'Equipe about a potentially sensational move for the 33-year-old Sweden player, with the former goalkeeper believing the striker is perfect for a transfer to United:

"

Last summer, there were rumours that he would come to Manchester United. I then said that Zlatan was built for the club, he was born to play there.

It's why Cantona was so strong when he was there, not at Leeds or in all other clubs in France? Why? Because it is Manchester United. In Manchester, there was the freedom given to the players, but also responsibilities.

"

Laurent Cipriani/Associated Press

Of course, Schmeichel's comments do not insinuate a move is currently on the cards for the striker, but there is a wave of logic which suggests Zlatan could find himself at United.

David Lynch of The Manchester Evening News says recent whispers suggest the player is displeased with life in French football "after he publicly complained about the standard of refereeing in Ligue 1," and he may now be ready to flee PSG for a new challenge.

United are sure to be in the market for an alpha-male striker come the close season, with the futures of Radamel Falcao and Robin van Persie looking bleak.

Falcao has not recovered his pre-injury form, which saw him become one of the best finishers in the world, and it seems nonsensical United will pay an enormous fee for the Monaco player.

Van Persie has also lost a yard of pace after a busy summer at the World Cup, and despite having a fantastic relationship with Van Gaal, his legs are starting to age at a worrying rate. 

Despite being in his 30s, Ibrahimovic is still one of the top performers in European football, and he is the heartbeat of the PSG challenge. 

Zlatan has 17 goals from his 21 Ligue 1 appearances this season, per WhoScored.com, and there seems to be no decline in his overall game, unlike that of RvP's.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

United is now the new Galactico destination of world football, with the English game about to bring in more money than ever before. 

The new TV deal for the EPL will further strengthen United's bank balance, but the club's desire to recapture their throne after Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement is the driving force behind their expenditure. 

Ibrahimovic is not only a striker who can score goals—a fact not every United attacker can claim—but with his character comes a mixture of commercial charm and big club arrogance. 

Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Ibra fits the profile of the kind of world-class talent Van Gaal wants to lead his side, and in a 4-3-3, the Swede would thrive at the point of the attack. 

Van Gaal's agenda is to position United at the forefront of the European game once more, and Ibrahimovic would bring the clout with him that is needed to achieve this. 

The player has yet to feature in the EPL after playing in all of the other big leagues of European football, so it would not be a surprise if Ibrahimovic is tempted to the North West. 

Former team-mate Thierry Henry has spoken out to remind the French public of the talent they have in their midst, and he has reminded them to enjoy his ability before he departs, as highlighted by Bleacher Report UK:

LvG needs an antidote to the presence of Wayne Rooney, and Ibrahimovic might be the perfect partner for the hard-working skipper.

Rooney would be happy to drift off Zlatan into the attacking positions, and the Swede could be the central striking point of United's revolving movement from midfield. 

It is uncertain whether United would move for a player who is so late in his career, but with Van Gaal looking to add superstars to his armoury, they do not come bigger than Ibrahimovic.