Man United must avoid Mesut Ozil despite temptation to prove power
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Mesut Ozil 's future remains up in the air but after months of focus on his team-mate Alexis Sanchez and his offers, the German is beginning to be linked with a move away.
Another spell with Jose Mourinho could be on the cards at Manchester United according to the latest rumours surrounding his future.
The Gunners have so far refused to match Ozil's reported £350,000-per-week wage demands and now the Red Devils may be tempted to prove a point once again by pinching one of their rivals' best players.
It would again reinforce the fact that Arsenal cannot hold on to their best stars, and that United represent a much more attractive option for the game's elite players, writes Alex Porter for the Manchester Evening News.
When Arsene Wenger signed the German international from Real Madrid back in 2013, his arrival was heralded as the start of a new era of high quality players challenging for the title.
To lose him for nothing is a kick in in the gut.
If the destination was Old Trafford, it would only be more painful.
But Ozil is not Robin van Persie. He will not transform the United side, or be the difference in a title bid.
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
(Image: Getty)
He is also not Alexis Sanchez, who City were willing to spend £60m on last summer.
The real attraction in Ozil would be the fee. Likely to be available on a cut price deal in January, he could arrive on a free transfer in the summer.
In a world of ever increasing prices, it would get the thumbs up from the bank manager.
But whatever the cost, Jose Mourinho would still need to find a place for him in the team, and United are well-stocked in that position.
Of greater need are a genuine right winger and a left-back.
Should Ozil arrive, it would likely necessitate the departure of another player - with Juan Mata the potential fall guy.
But after speculation that Mourinho's arrival at Old Trafford would herald the Spaniard's departure, Mata has become a key figure in this side and a regular starter.
Then there is Antoine Griezmann. Atletico Madrid's transfer ban, which ended the possibility of a move last summer, is lifted in January and the Frenchman's release clause reduces back to the original £92m - which United were willing to pay.
(Image: Arsenal FC)
Griezmann is currently one of Europe's best players, a tag which Ozil hasn't lived up to for some time.
This international break, debates have been posted about whether Arsenal are in fact better off without the former Schalke man.
Suggestions he has 'already left' Arsenal have emerged following sluggish displays.
For years, he has faced multiple accusations about going missing in the biggest games.
It was Mourinho who signed Ozil while at Real Madrid, and later described him as 'the best No 10 in the world'.
The pair's relationship deteriorated as Mourinho's time ran out in the Spanish capital, but the United manager could be the right man to restore Ozil's best qualities.
Under Mourinho, Ozil did take on more defensive duties and in 2011/12 he chalked up the most assists in La Liga as Real Madrid won the league.
He was in excellent form in 2015/16 and it is Arsenal's failure to invest that has sparked his decision to run down his contract.
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But he will be 29 this month and the Gunners have looked better in the weeks he has been sidelined with injury. For many not part of the obsessive Arsenal fanbase, he is too lazy, unwilling to do the dirty work in the big games when Mourinho demands full commitment from his players.
A 'luxury player'.
United were burned badly by Angel Di Maria, and while Ozil is a different proposition, United's squad is currently well-stocked with playmakers who are willing to play Mourinho's way.
There are other areas that need more immediate attention - especially as United are expected to revive the Griezmann interest.
The club aren't short of money, and given the choice between Ozil and Griezmann, most supporters would not need to think too hard.
Over the past two summers, Mourinho has worked hard to build a squad in his image.
Whatever the price, Ozil does not currently fit the picture.