Zlatan could be the new Cantona! PSG star is born to play for United claims Schmeichel

Peter Schmeichel believes Zlatan Ibrahimovic was born to be a Manchester United player and would love to see him at the club.

The former Red Devils goalkeeper has also hinted at the likeness the Paris Saint-Germain striker has to former United legend Eric Cantona and claims the 31-year-old can make just as big an impact on the club’s supporters.

Future Red Devil? Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a current first team star at Paris-Saint Germain

Cantona arrived at Old Trafford from Leeds for just £1.2million in November 1992 and by the end of his first campaign had played a key role in ending United's 26-year wait for a league title before helping the club become a dominant force in the country.
Schmeichel told Swedish paper Expressen: 'You've got to ask Zlatan why he hasn't played in England yet, but I'd love to see him at Manchester United.
'I don't know who he supports, but he's a born Manchester United player, he would be absolutely brilliant.
'I think our supporters would love him, if he ever made that move, he wouldn't move again.
'For Zlatan to play the way we love him to play, he has to be Zlatan.

New era: Eric Cantona (left) and Peter Schmeichel pose with the FA Cup after beating Liverpool in the 1996 final

'We're a very big football club and we've had players behaving in different ways throughout the history of the club.
'The managers have always been able to handle that and get the maximum out of the players.

'A lot of people are comparing Zlatan with Eric, Eric Cantona. He had a difficult time before he came to United.
'He had 11 clubs in France and a trial at Sheffield Wednesday and Trevor Francis didn't fancy him and then he had six months at Leeds and Howard Wilkinson didn't fancy him.

'But then he came to United and the rest is history. He's arguably the greatest player we've ever had.

'I think he's so suited to the Premier League and he has loads of time left in his career, I hope we see him there.'

Taking notes: Manchester United boss David Moyes was at Swansea on Thursday to watch their Europa League clash ahead of the Red Devil's first game of the Premier League season against Michael Laudrup's side

United will look to establish a new era following the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson at the end of last season, and the former Denmark goalkeeper believes having to defend the title will make David Moyes' first campaign as boss that little but harder.
'It's always difficult to defend a title because whatever team you play they always want to beat the champions, said Schmeichel.
'And having won 13 out of 20 Barclays Premier League titles the team and the players have the experience.
'But there's been a few key changes at the club this summer. David Gill has left and Ed Woodward is now in charge of the football club.
'And of course Sir Alex Ferguson has left and David Moyes is in so that changes things a little bit and all the other clubs are trying to take advantage of that.
'I think United will change under Moyes, you can't emulate what Sir Alex did, he has to do it his own way. But I don't think you can change something like Manchester United that much.'

Winning combo: Schmeichel was Sir Alex Ferguson's undisputed No 1 keeper for eight years

Schmeichel was signed by Sir Alex Ferguson at United a year before Cantona and spent eight years at Old Trafford before leaving in 1999 after winning the treble.
The 49-year-old returned to the club as an ambassador last year and believes his former manager will stay in the background to fully support Moyes at the club.
'I don't think Sir Alex will be that involved, he will keep a very low profile. He appreciates how difficult a position David Moyes is in.
'And he'll let him do the job and not interfere whatsoever, but he's there to support Moysey if he needs him.
'I don't think you'll see Sir Alex out there. But he'll be at the games.'
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