Peter Schmeichel believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic would be a perfect signing for Manchester United ahead of the 2015/16 campaign.
Ibrahimovic has played for some of the biggest clubs in Europe during his illustrious career, including Barcelona, Juventus, both Milan clubs and Ajax, but he has never sampled life in the Premier League. He is currently plying his trade for Paris Saint Germain, who he has inspired to two Ligue 1 titles since he arrived in the summer of 2012.
“It’s why [Eric] Cantona was so strong when he was there, not at Leeds or in all other clubs in France? Why? Because it is Manchester United,” the Dane, no doubt doing little to boost his own popularity amongst Parisian readers of the publication, told L’Equipe. “In Manchester, there was the freedom given to the players, but also responsibilities.
“We do not care who you are or what you love, we look at what you’re doing on the pitch and the influence you have in the club. If you do not respect that, then you’ll be leaving. But you can have any personality. There are hundreds of players who are trying to be a David Beckham or Cantona, but do not have the personality, and they fail.”
Since signing for PSG, Ibrahimovic has scored 99 goals in 121 appearances in all competitions. As well as helping them to successive Ligue 1 titles, he helped them to a French League Cup last season. They are on course to retain the latter as they contest the final with Bastia next month, three days after they take on Saint Etienne in the Coupe de France.
Laurent Blanc’s side are also well in contention or another league title as they top the current standings with eight games to play, although their lead is slender over Lyon (one point), Marseille (two points), and even fourth-place Monaco, who are just six points behind. And of course, having eliminated Chelsea at the Round of 16 stage in which Ibrahimovic was controversially sent off, they take on Barcelona in the last eight of the UEFA Champions League.
