Zlatan Ibrahimovic, knee injury and all, could still probably boss plenty of defenders about in the Premier League.
One of the strongest centre-forwards in the top flight, Ibrahimovic so often comes out on top in battles with centre-halves for the ball.
And when he does send an opposition sprawling to the turf, the towering Swede seldom shows anything resembling sympathy and Northern Ireland defender Jonny Evans has confirmed that Ibrahimovic is nothing but ruthless with his treatment of opponents.
Evans came up against Ibrahimovic a number of times before the striker moved to United last summer and his encounters with the Swedish powerhouse tells you everything you need to know about Ibra.
“I came up against Zlatan Ibrahimovic when we played Sweden,” Evans told GrahamHunter.TV, via Manchester Evening News. “He left one on me.
“I cleared the ball and he left his studs up – I thought I would try and make the most of it.
“He came over and was all like: ‘Get up, bitch’. I thought I’d better get up!”
Ibrahimovic has tremendous close control for a big man but the issue that most defenders tend to have with the 35-year-old is getting close enough to even attempt to win the ball from him as he is so powerful that he tends to be able to keep them out of reach with one extended, hulking arm.
Evans remembers that particular dilemma when he was tasked with keeping Ibrahimovic at bay when he lined out for Inter Milan at the San Siro for their 0-0 draw against United in 2009.
“I remember playing against him for United,” Evans continued.
“I just remember the strength he had – he could put one arm out and hold me off – and I could see the skill he had.”
