Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic signings 'worth 10 points to Manchester United'

The signings of Paul Pogba and Zlatan Ibrahimovic will add an extra 10 points to Manchester United's Premier League tally this season, according to a study.

Analysis by statistical experts from the Centre for Sports Business at the University of Salford revealed that the twin signings will raise the Red Devils' chances of winning the league for the first time since 2013 to 6% from 2%.

Sweden striker Ibrahimovic, signed on a free transfer after the 34-year-old left Paris Saint-Germain at the end of last season, is predicted to add eight points on his own to United's total.

The Red Devils also shattered the world transfer record by completing an £89m ($115m) deal to sign France international midfielder Pogba from Juventus this week.

The analysis was done using the Sports Analytics Machine (SAM), which uses a series of algorithms to forecast the results of a variety of sporting fixtures.

It takes into account multiple factors to come up with its results, such as which team is at home, the strength of both teams, as well as the form of the players on the pitch.

To come up with the result, United's full Premier League fixture list was run through SAM 10,000 times.

Ten points added to United's league total last season would have given them a second place finish and qualification to the Champions League.

"We simulated the result of every match of the season with and without Pogba and Ibrahimovic in United's side," said Ian McHale, professor of Sports Analytics at the University of Salford.

"Attacking players can make the biggest difference on the pitch and this just shows what a bargain Ibrahmovic could prove to be, as United picked him up for free.

"Pogba on the other hand was expensive, some may think he was overpriced and our stats show he is not likely to have as big an impact as Zlatan, but he is one for the future and if he helps propel United into the Champions League then it will be money well spent."