This past summer, one of the biggest legends in Manchester United history gave a message for a man who could become a legend at Old Trafford in his own right. Eric Cantona sent his official welcome to Zlatan Ibrahimovic on July 11th, letting Ibra know that he is still “King of Manchester” but that the Swede could be “the Prince” if he so chooses.
A little over a week later the mercurial Swede made his response and it was glorious.
“I have a personal message for Zlatan,” Cantona said in a video for Eurosport.
“You decided to go red, it is the best choice you ever made.”
“When you walk into the ‘Theatre of Dreams’ and you feel the ghosts of the legends who have been there before; when you score a goal right in front of the Stretford End; when you hear the crowd chanting your name; when your heart beats so strong that it bursts out of your chest; when you feel that you will love them as much as they love you; you will know, my friend, that finally you have made it home.
“Just one last thing. There can only be one king in Manchester. You can be the prince if you want to and the No. 7 shirt is yours if you are interested. This is my welcome gift to you. The king is gone. Long live the prince.”
As a retort Ibrahimovic one-upped Cantona, saying that he will be “God of Manchester.”
Zlatan said he will let Eric Cantona be King of Manchester. Zlatan has higher goals. https://t.co/LCoXYy509V
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 19, 2016
Zlatan Ibrahimovic responds to Eric Cantona's claim that there can only be one king in Manchester ? pic.twitter.com/T78IpvUP19
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 18, 2016
You gotta love Zlatan being Zlatan. Following his EFL Cup heroics, another club legend, Gary Neville, put Ibra on par with Cantona.
“Zlatan is the leader. I know Wayne Rooney lifted the cup [despite not being on the pitch] but Zlatan is the leader on the pitch,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“When Cantona walked onto the pitch with his collar up he looked like he loved Old Trafford, he had the aura and confidence. Ibrahimovic is the same. Sometimes you hate people who have that much arrogance but I love that because he delivers at the same time.
“When you’re a manager and join a new club you need one player who sings off your hymn sheet. Ibrahimovic is that player for [Jose] Mourinho.”
Ibrahimovic scored twice, including the game winner, as United beat Southampton 3-2. Zlatan was the man of the match, and a hero in Red Devils nation this weekend. The Jose Mourinho-Zlatan Ibrahimovic combination have once again succeeded in winning trophies; just like they have done everywhere else they have been. Cantona himself predicted more than one trophy for the club this season, just a few days ago.
It’s very interesting that this came up, because we published a piece earlier this summer comparing Eric Cantona to Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
Here’s the excerpt:
The similarities between Cantona and Ibrahimovic are plain to see and, with United struggling to find their identity in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson years, the Red Devils need a charismatic talisman to guide them out of this dark period.
Cantona relished the challenge of playing for Manchester United; he was the final piece of the jigsaw for Fergie’s first title-winning side and United legend Peter Schmeichel believes Ibrahimovic will relish the challenge of playing for the Red Devils.
Concerning Ibra, the Great Dane said: “What he does with PSG is incredible. He gives so much credibility and visibility to PSG… this is someone who takes responsibility.”
History is sure waiting to have itself repeated now that Ibra has joined United.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and Bold, contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication, CGTN America, WGN CLTV News and KOZN.
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