Roy Keane has compared Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Manchester United legend Eric Cantona in light of heavy speculation linking the Swede with a move to Old Trafford.
Having played alongside Cantona at United, Keane believes there are similarities between the two players, and that Ibrahimovic could be a big hit in Manchester.
Keane, assistant manager of Ireland, was speaking about the Ligue 1 top scorer as his side prepare to face Ibrahimovic and Sweden in their Euro 2016 opener on Monday evening.
“Of course he is a good fit for United, he’s a good player,” Keane told reporters.
“They’re big characters, clearly, whatever you say about Cantona, he was a popular lad, and I get the impression Zlatan is the same.
“Whatever about his playing career, you hear from his team-mates and he seems to be a bit of a character, and you can see that in the way he plays.
“It’s good to see that, because there’s a lack of characters out there, and he certainly is that. On top of all that, he’s a very, very good player.”Cantona arrived at Old Trafford from local rivals Leeds United in 1992 and over five years won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
Meanwhile, Ibrahimovic has long been linked with a move to the Premier League, but speculation that Old Trafford could be his destination was heightened by the appointment of Jose Mourinho, with the two known to possess a strong bond.
The Swede has teased the world’s media with various hints in previous weeks, but has refused to reveal where he will move having spent his previous four seasons in the French capital with PSG.
With United having failed to mount a title challenge in the three seasons following Sir Alex Ferguson’s retirements, it is expected that Mourinho will make some severe changes to his playing squad.
The Portuguese has already signalled his intent with the £30m signing of Ivorian defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal and will no doubt make further additions to his squad before the Premier League resumes in August.
Ibrahimovic’s Sweden have a tough task on their hands having been drawn in what could be described as the tournament’s group of death, being joined in Group E by Italy and Belgium as well as the Irish.
However, with a possible third qualification place up for grabs in the tournament’s new format Ibrahimovic will believe he can make his mark in what could be the Swede’s final major international tournament appearance.
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