Zlatan Ibrahimovic Compared to Eric Cantona by Phil Neville After EFL Cup Win

Former Manchester United star Phil Neville has likened Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Eric Cantona after he bagged a brace to help the Red Devils beat Southampton 3-2 in the EFL Cup final on Sunday.

Speaking as a pundit on Sky Sports, Neville said: "Zlatan is the leader. I know Wayne Rooney lifted the cup, but Zlatan is the leader on the pitch. When Cantona walked on to the pitch with his collar up, he looked like he loved Old Trafford, he had the aura and confidence. Ibrahimovic is the same."

Rooney lifted the trophy but did not make it off the bench—he appeared set to come on before Ibrahimovic's late winner prompted manager Jose Mourinho to bring on Marouane Fellaini instead.

Neville added: "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 Mourinho."

It's not the first time the former Sweden international has earned comparisons with Cantona. United legend Ryan Giggs also compared him to the United great recently.

His two goals at Wembley took his tally to 26 for the campaign in 38 matches since his arrival on a free transfer in the summer. He's been one of Europe's most prolific hitmen in recent times, as Squawka Football demonstrated:

With Sunday's EFL Cup win, Ibrahimovic has added another piece of silverware to his already-incredible trophy cabinet:

As with the mercurial Cantona, the Swede is well-known for his self-confidence and quick-wittedness, and he displayed as much after the match:

The striker opened the scoring with a free-kick, and United went 2-0 up when Jesse Lingard fired home.

Manolo Gabbiadini—who had a goal wrongly disallowed for offside early on—put the Saints level with a goal minutes either side of half-time, before Ibrahimovic headed home the 87th-minute winner.

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever and football writer Liam Canning were among many in awe of the 35-year-old's abilities:

Like Cantona, the forward has not only brought exceptional quality on the pitch, but he's also bred a winning mentality among his team-mates.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United's swagger was intrinsic, but it faded during a largely disappointing three years under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.

Reignited thanks to Ibrahimovic and Mourinho, United already have a major trophy under their belt this season. They are also still in the race for the UEFA Europa League and the FA Cup, and they are just two points off the top four in the Premier League.  

Ibrahimovic has been key to their success so far this season, and he'll remain so for the rest of the campaign.