Football
Ian Holyman, France correspondent 7y

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is not as strong as Eric Cantona - Emmanuel Petit

Emmanuel Petit has suggested Zlatan Ibrahimovic does not stand up to the physical challenge of the Premier League in the way Eric Cantona did at Manchester United.

Ibrahimovic, 35, has not scored in his last five top-flight outings for United, and has found the back of the net just once in his last nine games in all competitions.

"When people say Ibrahimovic is like Cantona ... he's not at all, not at all, at all," the former Arsenal and Chelsea midfielder, who played alongside Cantona for France, said on SFR Sport's Le Vestiaire. "'Canto', if he wanted to kick you in the head, he would do it. If he lost it, he would do it.

"Cantona was strong in the face of strong opponents, he stood up to them. Ibra, when you start to get at him in a match -- I've seen the batterings he's taken in England -- even if he replies sometimes ... yes, he has character and personality, but don't say 'Ibra' is like 'Canto'. He isn't at all."

Cantona is an Old Trafford legend for playing a major role in helping the club end their 26-year wait for the English title in 1992-93 before inspiring them to another three Premier League crowns in a trophy-laden five years at United but was also notorious for his on-pitch volatility and explosive temper, which led to a number of incidents, most significantly his 'kung-fu' kick during a game against Crystal Palace in January 1995 that led to an eight-month ban.

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