In a message from Eric Cantona welcoming Ibrahimovic to his new club, the Manchester United legend told Zlatan Ibrahimovic that there could only ever be one king of Manchester. ‘You can be the prince if you want to’, he said. Ibrahimovic responded to this in classic Zlatan style, saying: “I admire Cantona. And I heard what he said. But I won't be King of Manchester. I will be God of Manchester.”
Zlatan is equally well known for his goal scoring abilities on the pitch as well as his humorous, larger than life, in your face attitude off it. Interviews with Zlatan are never boring, and he has his fans always waiting for the next outrageous thing he says.
With this response to Cantona’s message, the striker doesn’t disappoint. It is also a clear statement of his intent to establish himself as a legend at United, which he will have no trouble doing if he is able to replicate the form he showed at Paris Saint-Germain.
Also read: Who is Mino Raiola, the super agent behind Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba?
The 34-year-old veteran has won the domestic title with every club he has played for in his career so far, and will surely be hoping to keep his amazing run going at his new club. If he does manage to bring the EPL title to Old Trafford this season, then surely his fans will name him ‘God of Manchester.’
Eric Cantona sealed his own place in Manchester United history by scoring 82 goals in 182 appearances in a red shirt. He was brought to the club by Sir Alex Ferguson and played under the now iconic manager from 1992 to 1997.
Cantona was a hugely important signing at the time. Manchester United were struggling to score goals and lay 10th in the league table before his arrival. Cantona’s presence in the squad was a catalyst. He not only scored and created goals regularly but also brought out the best in his teammates around him.
Zlatan is one of the three summer signings made by Jose Mourinho at Manchester United so far. Joining Zlatan at United are Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Borussia Dortmund and Eric Bailly from Villarreal. Mkhitaryan and Bailly were involved in Man Utd’s first preseason game against Wigan which the Red Devils won 2-0.