Peter Schmeichel Comments on Manchester United, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and More

Peter Schmeichel has offered a withering assessment of Manchester United, insisting watching his old club has "bored [him] to death" this season. The former Red Devils goalkeeper also believes manager Louis van Gaal has taken the team in the "wrong direction" but hopes the club will sign striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic. 

Speaking to Sky Sports News HQ (h/t Lyall Thomas of Sky Sports), Schmeichel lamented the way United have played: "Manchester United—a club that [I] love and have followed since I was a kid—have bored me to death this season."

The Dane is in no doubt the pedestrian style of football under Van Gaal is to blame:

"

We are one of those clubs that has been dragged in completely the wrong direction. We never used to play football the way we play now. We never played for 1-0 and then defend. We always went for the second goal and the third.

All the hard work that Sir Alex put in to recover what was there from Sir Matt Busby has been undone in a very short period of time. I, as a fan, want to be winning but to entertain equally as much too. I want exciting players.

"

Schmeichel believes Ibrahimovic is an exciting player, one who could help raise the entertainment levels at Old Trafford next season: "I read about [Ibrahimovic] in the newspapers. I would love for him to come to Manchester United, I've said this for a long time. He was born to play for Manchester United."

The centre-forward, who has thrived for Paris Saint-Germain the last four years, was recently said to have been offered a deal by United, according to French source RMC (via B/R's Jonathan Johnson):

However, the player's agent denied the claims, per Sky Sports News HQ:

Still, Schmeichel believes United need a player like Ibrahimovic. He compared the Swede's potential impact on the current squad to that of a former club great: "He's like an Eric Cantona, who can inspire all the guys in the dressing room but also the supporters. That's what it's all about. It's not about having a Sunday nap at Old Trafford."

Whether the 34-year-old Ibrahimovic would prove to be the same catalyst Cantona was during Schmeichel's time is a matter for some debate. But there's little doubt the former's arrival would at least lift the mood around Old Trafford.

A striker who scored 38 league goals this season, per WhoScored.com, would also surely be welcome for a side that's managed just 46 strikes in the Premier League.

It's a number that makes Schmeichel's unflattering assessment of today's United ring true.