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Garth Crooks: How Zlatan Ibrahimovic has filled the void of this Man United legend
ZLATAN IBRAHIMOVIC has instilled a presence to the Manchester United squad not seen since the days of Roy Keane.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 5 things you need to know
That is the view of BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic helped himself to a double in Manchester United’s 3-2 EFL Cup final victory over Southampton yesterday at Wembley.
His goals took his to tally to 26 in all competitions this term.
The 35-year-old has been likened to Eric Cantona for his aura.
And Crooks thinks Ibrahimovic has brought about a toughness to United for the first time since Keane parted company with the club in 2005.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was Manchester United's match-winner against Southampton
Garth Crooks reckons Manchester United struggled for years to replace the leadership of Roy Keane
He's injected a presence into the United set-up that has not been seen since the departure of Roy Keane
“Manchester United have seriously benefited from bringing Ibrahimovic to Old Trafford,” Crooks told BBC Sport.
“He has almost single-handedly injected a presence into the United set-up that has not been seen since the departure of Roy Keane.
“Nevertheless the reality is that Ibrahimovic is a football 'senior citizen' and cannot continue to punish himself like this indefinitely.
“At some stage Paul Pogba (who went AWOL again against the Saints) has to step up to the plate and start showing some true leadership, especially in the big games. Mourinho has no choice but to keep Ibrahimovic onside, at least until Pogba grows up.”
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