Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs Edinson Cavani - Comparing their United careers

[roonster09]

Zlatan had better year but I would pick Cavani. Best thing about Cavani is, he works hard from min 1 to 90. Always on the move. Zlatan is very static and wants everything to flow though him.

I would pick peak Cavani ahead of peak Zlatan but Zlatan had better season individually than Cavani.

Also people forgot how frustrating Zlatan was in 2016-17, this is the threadmark for the game he was injured, many were tired watching him kill any hope of counters by that time.

https://www.redcafe.net/threads/zlatan-ibrahimović-2016-17-performances.419581/page-226

Saying all that, individually Zlatan had very good year but for the team I would pick Cavani every single time.

 

[Josep Dowling]

Zlatan way better overall, but we did not have great league sucess with him. Key to win the league cup though with 2 goals in the final.

Cavani only have 8 league goals and not been that good overall for us, but his performance tonight can take us to an EL title.

I think it’s unfair to say he’s not been good overall. If I remember correctly Ole kept sticking with Martial up front before Christmas and Cavani never got minutes. Plus the fact we signed him on transfer deadline day and then wanted him to get match fit (even though half our squad wasn’t anyway). Overall I think he’s been a good buy. I never really rated him before he signed for us and he’s proved me wrong.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Always thought Zlatan's time here is very overrated. This team is much better than the team he was a leader in. Remember our Europa semi-final when he was here? We snuck past Celta Vigo after a very favourable draw to get to the semi-final in the first place. In the league we were very poor too and his goal scoring record very average.

 

[Mr.Ridiculous__]

Zlatan was better. Anyone who closely followed him would know how pivotal he was to our attacks.

 

[Marwood]

Cavani the better fit and to me more likeable.

I also think he's easier to learn from than Zlatan.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Zlaran was better. Anyone who closely followed him would know how pivotal he was to our attacks.

I don’t disagree. But love these types of posts. Basically if you disagree with me you weren’t “closely following him”’ ergo know nothing…

 

[kouroux]

Cavani is better suited for Utd but it sucks that we didn't get either of them when younger

 

[DWelbz19]

Cavani, both here, and all time.

 

[Raees]

Zlatan was the better player and had to do more heavy lifting during his phase here but Cavani is the better fit if we are talking long term and elevating the team’s style of play as a whole. He’s more of a modern centre forward who brings in wide forwards and allows them to play their natural game whereas with Zlatan he has to be the main focus of the attack.

Someone mentioned Ruud v Saha and that is a very apt analogy.

 

[Mr.Ridiculous__]

I don’t disagree. But love these types of posts. Basically if you disagree with me you weren’t “closely following him”’ ergo know nothing…

Well he was pivotal. There was a period where Zlatan got injured and our entire attack stagnated. The posts here don't seem to acknowledge it.

Keep your condescending tone up yours. Thank you.

 

[Judge Red]

In terms of personal stats and trophy haul, Zlatan’s season compares better but it’s great that Cavani has upgraded the hit or miss thread to this.

He’s the current squad’s greatest hit up front and he’s giving Greenwood someone other than Martial and Rashford to learn off.

 

[11101]

So far it's Zlatan comfortably. His general play was always a little overrated but his impact was not. We were a poor team and his presence was massive, look at what we won, how many goals he scored, and who was in that team with him.

Cavani has been about average so far, with an occasional brilliant game. Last night was one of them so no surprise to see this thread pop up.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Well he was pivotal. There was a period where Zlatan got injured and our entire attack stagnated. The posts here don't seem to acknowledge it.

Keep your condescending tone up yours. Thank you.

ironic as you were the one being condescending- and I called you out. If you read your post “closely enough”’ you will see it

back to Zlatan, he was much more of the figurehead that Cavani. He was our no 1 striker. That’s not been the case with Cavani - the injuries and suspensions have really disrupted jis season.

If we could get a second season out of him, and he has good fitness, then I think it would be a fairer comparison.

Zlatan looked like a player near the latter part of his career, still producing, but slower and lacking mobility. Cavani on the other hand looks like a spring chicken. Whether he could sustain that over 40-50 games, unfortunately I doubt we will ever find out.

 

[Mr.Ridiculous__]

ironic as you were the one being condescending- and I called you out. If you read your post “closely enough”’ you will see it

back to Zlatan, he was much more of the figurehead that Cavani. He was our no 1 striker. That’s not been the case with Cavani - the injuries and suspensions have really disrupted jis season.

If we could get a second season out of him, and he has good fitness, then I think it would be a fairer comparison.

Zlatan looked like a player near the latter part of his career, still producing, but slower and lacking mobility. Cavani on the other hand looks like a spring chicken. Whether he could sustain that over 40-50 games, unfortunately I doubt we will ever find out.

It's just a figure of speech. Jesus, the amount of cynical mental gymnastics one pulls off here is quite something. Zlatan was pivotal to our attacks, and his passes from deep allowed players like Martial and Rashford to spring forward, not to mention he scored some clutch goals for us. Cavani has been brilliant in the recent past yes, but as of now he has yet to go past Zlatan and what he accomplished. Maybe he'll do it by the end of the season.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

It's just a figure of speech. Jesus, the amount of cynical mental gymnastics one pulls off here is quite something. Zlatan was pivotal to our attacks, and his passes from deep allowed players like Martial and Rashford to spring forward, not to mention he scored some clutch goals for us. Cavani has been brilliant in the recent past yes, but as of now he has yet to go past Zlatan and what he accomplished. Maybe he'll do it by the end of the season.

Lets leave the gymnastics then…

I don’t think Cavani has the time left this season to get anywhere near Zlatan, unless he scored 8/9 in the last few games.

I hope we can get a second season from him. Proper pre-season, better injury record, and it could be really special.

 

[A-man]

You can call him an anything, pathetic, etc, but he has the aura. Zlatan brought back the cockiness to United. He made it clear to the other players that they played for one of the biggest clubs in football history.

 

[roonster09]

Always thought Zlatan's time here is very overrated. This team is much better than the team he was a leader in. Remember our Europa semi-final when he was here? We snuck past Celta Vigo after a very favourable draw to get to the semi-final in the first place. In the league we were very poor too and his goal scoring record very average.

Tbf to him, Zlatan didn't play semi finals. He was injured in Quarter finals.

 

[mitchmouse]

I was talking to a friend before the game and said how much I'd love to have seen them play together!

 

[simplyared]

Having Ibrahimovic at any club has a huge impact. You get the whole package whether you like it or not. Therfore it's gotta be Cavani for me in every aspect!

 

[Classical Mechanic]

Tbf to him, Zlatan didn't play semi finals. He was injured in Quarter finals.

It's more of an assessment of how good the team was. We were not a good team but managed to win two minor trophies. Cup competitions are subject to a lot more noise than the league. The league is the true examination of a team. The United team he played in and was a leader of was not great. To me he underwhelmed a lot.

 

[charlenefan]

I believe the purpose of this thread was to compare Ibra's 16/17 season with Cavani's 20/21 season rather than who was the better player etc

Receny bias aside as I'm loving Cavani right now you've got to go with Ibrahimovic, he literally won us the league cup, was available week in week out and scored more goals. That's not to say he wasn't a factor in why we drew so many games that season though with the amount of chances he missed

The comparison would have been a lot more fun had Cavani not joined as late into the season as he did and missed the games through injury and suspension he has

 

[roonster09]

It's more of an assessment of how good the team was. We were not a good team but managed to win two minor trophies. Cup competitions are subject to a lot more noise than the league. The league is the true examination of a team. The United team he played in and was a leader of was not great. To me he underwhelmed a lot.

Yeah I agree with that. His lack of pace and mobility was big problem that season. He had his moments too, scoring goals at very good rate but Cavani instead of Zlatan is easy choice for me.

 

[Judas]

IF we go on to win the EL, and to be honest even if we don't, it's Cavani for me. He's not been perfect, his injury record has been predictably frustrating, but his style of play fits us so much better. I much prefer watching us with him than I did with Ibra, which might be unfair as its a different side but oh well.

Ibra had to have everything go through him, slowed us down, and missed so so so many chances. His time here is massively overstated I think, some even call him a Utd legend

 

[Man-United]

Zlatan, and it's not even close. Some weird opinions here imo. Gif Lord downplayed him big time

 

[Zlaatan]

You do realize 1/3 of his goals(156) are from ligue 1 where he played for the most dominant side in the league? In his last season there they won the league title in DECEMBER ffs!!
https://www.goal.com/en/news/1717/e...s-official-barcelonas-zlatan-ibrahimovic-is-a this article from the late 00s says it all.
But then all of a sudden he starts scoring for fun in Ligue 1 and scores an acrobatic goal from time to time and becomes the hipster's choice goat

This was ibra in the 00s

In two years with Juventus, and three with Inter, Ibra scored just nine European goals in 41 appearances.

I get that he's a marmite player and he's pretty hated by some, but to summarize his entire 00's by looking at his scoring record in 41 games over 5 seasons in a single competition hardly even qualifies as an argument.

It's like looking at half of Federer's first set statistics against Nadal in the French Open and saying "this was his career".

 

[Devil81]

Zlatan lead us to two trophies and actually won us that league cup final on his own near enough.

Just a shame the injury robbed him of a place in the Europa final and also a second season with us.

 

[Man-United]

Zlatan lead us to two trophies and actually won us that league cup final on his own near enough.

This

 

[Sunny Jim]

I like Cavani much more. I hated the hype and drama around Zlatan. He was a good player but if you believed stories about him you would believe he was second coming of prime Ronaldo.

Which brings me to conclusion that on perceived personality levels i like Ole's team very much.

 

[Red Pumpkin]

I know we are supposed to rate them depending on what they did in United-colors but both were in their prime at PSG (yes, you can argue for Milan or Napoli but...). From what I have seen a couple of team mates from that period have come out saying Zlatan was the clear #3 in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo. Di Maria who has played with a who's who of the best players picked Messi #1 Ronaldo #2 Zlatan #3 Neymar #4 Mbappe #5 and this was 5 years after Zlatans departure. Cavani was at Agueros level, Zlatan was above that.

And I do rate Zlatan at United higher than Cavani. He had a much worse team around him and had to take Pogba under his wing to free him mentally as well as play with a shot Rooney who soon went on to a have a mediocre career in the MLS and Derby. Fellaini instead of Bruno and a still developing teenage Rashford. Zlatan performed miracles that season even though he missed a lot as well.

 

[Man-United]

I know we are supposed to rate them depending on what they did in United-colors but both were in their prime at PSG (yes, you can argue for Milan or Napoli but...). From what I have seen a couple of team mates from that period have come out saying Zlatan was the clear #3 in the world behind Messi and Ronaldo. Di Maria who has played with a who's who of the best players picked Messi #1 Ronaldo #2 Zlatan #3 Neymar #4 Mbappe #5 and this was 5 years after Zlatans departure. Cavani was at Agueros level, Zlatan was above that.

And I do rate Zlatan at United higher than Cavani. He had a much worse team around him and had to take Pogba under his wing to free him mentally as well as play with a shot Rooney who soon went on to a have a mediocre career in the MLS and Derby. Fellaini instead of Bruno and a still developing teenage Rashford. Zlatan performed miracles that season even though he missed a lot as well.

Best post in this thread. Spot on.

 

[Wilt]

When Zlatan was born he slapped the nurse.

 

[GifLord]

I get that he's a marmite player and he's pretty hated by some, but to summarize his entire 00's by looking at his scoring record in 41 games over 5 seasons in a single competition hardly even qualifies as an argument.

It's like looking at half of Federer's first set statistics against Nadal in the French Open and saying "this was his career".

He was supposed to be the best player in those teams and barely influenced the games he played for them in UCL.

 

[Regulus Arcturus Black]

Zlatan had better year but I would pick Cavani. Best thing about Cavani is, he works hard from min 1 to 90. Always on the move. Zlatan is very static and wants everything to flow though him.

I would pick peak Cavani ahead of peak Zlatan but Zlatan had better season individually than Cavani.

Also people forgot how frustrating Zlatan was in 2016-17, this is the threadmark for the game he was injured, many were tired watching him kill any hope of counters by that time.

Agree on everything but the last paragraph, people are idiots so a thread on redcafe of moaning fecks is proof of nothing, as Wummy proved last night.
[/QUOTE]

 

[Welbeckham]

I like Cavani more, I was never into static strikers like Zlatan and Berbatov. They are two much about the ball in their feet, which makes everything more slow and predictable. Much prefer the traditional South American workhorse with smart movement and occasional diving header (Cavani/Tevez).

Both score some important goals and miss some big chances. Apples and oranges, I guess.

 

[Red Star One]

I like Cavani better, but perhaps Ibra’s presence was indeed very important when he was there and he took a leadership in a rather immature team. These days with Rashford, Bruno, Pogba being established star players Cavani fits the team much better, we cried for that finishing maestro for so many years now and he delivered that plus his work rate is excellent - pretty much exactly what we needed, big shame he isn’t 5 years younger as we would’ve been settled for a while.

 

[rimaldo]

comparing players is never easy. they all have their own strengths and weaknesses and bring something different to the team. the waters get ever muddier when comparing players form different sides. although both have been at united in the past 5 years, the teams are wildly different.

i will have a stab at comparing their influence at united, focusing only on the key attributes they have brought to the side they played in.

both players are big on talent and big on hair. both tie their hair back so it does not impact their ability to see the ball. however zlatan’s slicked back hair would not look out of place on a slavic gangster, whereas cavani’s mane looks like it smells of coconut. this is a clear win for cavani.

 

[VP89]

I have always preferred Cavani to Zlatan throughout their careers, and was really hoping we were the ones to bring Cavani out of Napoli rather than PSG.

Whilst Zlatan is obviously technically better, Cavani has a better work ethic, he's more adaptable and extremely humble. I like him way more as a player and professional.

That's not to say Zlatan sucks or that he's unprofessional, but I just prefer Cavani's ilk.

 

[DWelbz19]

Ibra had to have everything go through him, slowed us down, and missed so so so many chances. His time here is massively overstated I think, some even call him a Utd legend

Exactly. As it has been his entire career. The ball must go through epic Zlatan. A phenomenal player his whole career, no doubt, but I just don’t like players like that from a personal stylistic perspective.

 

[stw2022]

Different type of players but I’d take Zlatan. His movement and reading of the game and positioning is incredible .

In this team though I’d probably go with Cavani as we don’t cross the ball into the area from wide positions that much any more and that’s a large part of Ibrahimovic’s goal threat nullified

 

[VivaObertan]

Over 500 goals, won the league nearly everywhere he went whilst being the best player on most of those teams and he is only known as a "big time choker"?

Okay

He didn't really become the player he is today until his final season in Milan, IMO. Since then he's obviously been a top 3-5 striker, for sure.