3 reasons why Ozil's reunion with Mourinho could prove to be bad news for Manchester United

Mesut Ozil was deemed as a marquee signing and a signal of intent by manager Arsene Wenger when the Arsenal boss signed the Real Madrid attacking midfielder for a club record fee of £42.5 million in 2013, to make him the most expensive German footballer of all time.

It appeared that the dynamic and industrious 25-year-old had taken like fish to water as he performed exceptionally in his debut season at Arsenal. He led the club's assists chart with 13 to his name and also had a decent contribution in front of goal by finding the back of the net on seven occasions in all competitions.

His impact diminished considerably the following season when he played a hand in only 12 goals all season. However, he was back with the numbers in the 2015/16 season as he racked up an impressive 20 assists, but the next season was again a barren one for the German international.

This has been the tale of Ozil in the Premier League. His performances have never been at the level of the top stars the world's most popular league has to offer. When he is in a rich vein of form, there are few better in Europe than him, but the damning fact for him and his team is that his highs are few and far in between.

Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, who shared a topsy-turvy relationship with Ozil during their days at Real Madrid, still seems to hold the German in high regard. While often being critical of his work rate, Mourinho is aware of the player's skill set and his ability to turn things around within the blink of an eye.

However, a lot has changed since the duo were in Spain, and Ozil who seems destined for a reunion with the Portuguese manager, may not prove to be a good piece of business for the Red Devils.

Here are three reasons why United should opt against signing the wantaway Arsenal star:

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#1 He is too much of a luxury player

Arsenal legend and TV pundit Martin Keown has never been one to mince his words. Writing in his column in the Daily Mail about what Ozil brings to the Gunners side, he labelled the German as an "icing on the cake player." He stated that he is an expensive luxury unwilling to put in the extra yards for his side.

While every team may have that one player that is given a bit of leeway, Mourinho's sides do not follow a similar philosophy as the Portuguese inculcates a fighting spirit in each of his players. Last season, he was vocal about Luke Shaw and Anthony Martial's lack of desire - something which is also blatantly obvious when Ozil is having a bad day at the office.

He may be extremely adept and robust in the final third, creating innumerable chances for the players around him, but when it comes to winning the ball back or putting in an extra shift on the defensive end, he tends to go missing.

This massive flaw in his game does not immediately strike the eye when Arsenal square off against the lesser sides, but when they take on sides that are at the same level or stronger than them, Ozil is suddenly like a passenger in the Gunners team.

Due to his lack of physicality, he often goes missing against sides that have a considerable strength and size advantage over him. Against bigger teams, Ozil's involvement in the game considerably diminishes and this all down to his lack of fighting spirit.

#2 He isn't the same player that joined Arsenal back in 2013

Ozil took the Premier League by storm in his debut campaign way back in 2013

Ozil arrived at the Emirates Stadium in the summer of 2013 with everything going right for him. Three years prior to his Arsenal move, the German international proved to be one of the standout performers for Die Mannschaft in the FIFA World Cup - which saw Real Madrid come knocking at his door.

His decision to move to the Bernabeu elevated his game to the next level and helped him establish himself as one of the world's finest attacking midfielders. He went on to be their creator-in-chief for three seasons, but after losing the faith of the club hierarchy, he felt it was the right choice to make a move overseas.

There is a monumental difference between the player that joined Arsenal four seasons and the one likely to part ways with the North London club either in January or next summer. Back then, Ozil would have arguably walked into every Premier League starting eleven, but now there are doubts about whether he merits a spot in the first team of any of the top six sides in England.

Based on current form, Ozil is creating the fewest chances per game in his career. His confidence has taken a massive hit, and his form has been erratic, to say the least. Whether or not he is worth taking the risk, is something Mourinho will have to consider before blindly deciding to rekindle his old relationship with the Arsenal playmaker.

He knows that if he opts to move to Old Trafford, he will not be guaranteed a first-team berth. The United side has a fiercer competition for places, and if Ozil aims to play week in week out at the highest level, a reunion with Mourinho may not be the ideal option for him.

#3 United are well-stocked in the no. 10 department and should look to invest elsewhere

Mata and Mkhitaryan have flourished under Mourinho's tutelage

Along with their rivals Manchester City, United have the deepest squad in the Premier League. When Jose Mourinho took over the reins last summer, he offloaded certain players who he deemed surplus and roped in some quality names to help him bring the club back to where they belong.

This season, the former Real Madrid and Chelsea manager has rotated between Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Juan Mata to play in the hole behind the striker. By playing Ozil ahead of either of them, Mourinho could face severe backlash, as the duo have been doing what the doctor has called for.

In fact, even for Wenger at Arsenal, Ozil has not been his first name on the teamsheet. The German has started in just four of their eight games this season and has come off the bench on two occasions.

It will be difficult to make a case for the German to start ahead of Mata and Mkhitaryan as both of them have performed better than him this season. The Armenian has enjoyed a flying start to the season and has already recorded five assists since the new campaign kicked in.

Mata is loving life at Old Trafford and is arguably playing the best football of his Manchester United career this season. Along with the creative freedom given to him, the Spaniard has been assertive about his defensive duties and has managed to regain the trust of Mourinho after falling out with him at Chelsea.

Mata and Mkhitaryan have also been trained to run the extra yard as they have averaged 11.6 and 11.5 km per 90 minutes this season. Comparatively, Ozil's unwillingness to track back and put a shift on the defensive front has only seen him average 11 km per game.

If there was a takeaway from the Red Devils' loss against Huddersfield, it is that their defence needs reinforcements. The club would be better off bolstering their back line rather than signing a player who has suffered a massive dip in form and has the best years of his career behind him.