Eric Cantona

[Keano's fan]

Arrogant. Howard Wilkinson couldnt wait for him to leave. He wanted him out and the 1.2 million bid by United got accepted rather quickly. After all, who wants a trouble maker ? 8 moves in 10 years ? Surely theres something wrong with him ?

November 1992, United will never be the same. Shirt outside shorts, chest out and collar up. He owned Old Trafford, it became his home now. He was in love, and so was I.

People still talk about his persona, but he was much more than just a character. Great awareness, excellent vision and immense skill. Cantona was a great player, far better than what some suggest. He had that arrogance, that confidence , that made me feel that no matter how bad we might look on the day, we still can we as we have Cantona.

He created a buzz in the crowd. He made people stand up as they always expected something special from him. And he rarely disappointed. He gave me hope, and offered inspiration for the younng talent we have. People misuse the word legend these days. An easy ay to look it up is to search for the word 'Cantona'. He is a legend. A true great.

88 goals, great memories and another proud piece of our history. That sums up Cantona's time over at United. Finally , Eric had the arena to call his and the people to entertain. Eric Cantona was a genius that had to be admired and enjoyed.

[Jazz 16]

Cantona was a legend. Eric the King was one of the best bargains ever in football.
A few Cantona quotes:

Cantona-'When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Merci'

Cantona's explanation- 'My lawyer wanted me to talk, I could have said, the curtains are pink but I love them'

Cantona-'certainly take the advice of others but always, always be yourself'

[red_dec7]

best footballer for me my hero

[The great dane]

never got to see how good he was. Is he better than anyone we've had in past 20yrs ?

[Keano's fan]

Well it depends on how you look at it. In terms of ability I believe Robbo was a better player, Scholes and Giggs arent far behind. In terms of the "total package" Keane was the best. But Cantona was Cantona. A legend.

To show you how great he was, heres a quote from Best (assuming you know how great Best was) "I'd give all the champagne I've ever drunk to be playing alongside him in a big European match at Old Trafford."

[Keano4taoiseach]

There was room in the Manchester United dressing room where Cantona would use a cycling bike...on his own...before matches.

Striking memory.....half volley against Liverpool in FA Cup Final.
Cantona = Technique.

btw..he is also an actor and had a small role in the film....."Elizabeth".

Cantona is always there or thereabouts (meaning top 5) in any poll of greatest man utd players ever mate so that pretty much sums up how awesome he was.

[carlyluvsunited]

Best in the last 20 years ?

Yes........Yes he is !

Many great players play for United - but most of them are mentioned with others.

Best, Law and Charlton.

Cole and Yorke

McGrath and Moran

etc etc but Cantona is Cantona !!

For 20 years United try to win the league and no luck !

In 92 (I think) they come so close......so, so close.

But Leeds beat them to it - led by some French guy who was amazing !!

Then this French guy goes from Leeds to United and.......

Wins another medal !!

Coincidence ?

Don't be stupid of course not.......

He made the difference every time he plays !

Very, very intelligent man too - more than many people realise.

If he turned up at Old Trafford as a manager would I be happy ?

Damn right I would !!!

[Anderson's God]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Lee Chapman ahead of then Leeds striker Eric Cantona, it has been revealed.

In his new book, 'United We Fall', being serialised in The Sun, former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale wrote that Ferguson did not hesitate to swoop when the Frenchman was sold by Leeds following a bust-up with boss Howard Wilkinson, who dropped him for a match at QPR.

Ridsdale said: "I was in the team hotel. Howard was the other side of some double doors dropping his bombshell.

"The next thing I heard was a clatter — perhaps a chair going over — and a single door flew open banging against a wall. Cantona stormed out in a whirlwind of red mist.

"He went to Paris instead of Loftus Road and his days with Leeds were numbered.

"Two games later he was sold to United.

"They had asked about Lee Chapman but were offered Cantona instead. They must have done cartwheels.

"Our fans felt betrayed — selling Cantona to our title rivals was tantamount to swapping religions."

[Jazz 16]

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Lee Chapman ahead of then Leeds striker Eric Cantona, it has been revealed.

In his new book, 'United We Fall', being serialised in The Sun, former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale wrote that Ferguson did not hesitate to swoop when the Frenchman was sold by Leeds following a bust-up with boss Howard Wilkinson, who dropped him for a match at QPR.

Ridsdale said: "I was in the team hotel. Howard was the other side of some double doors dropping his bombshell.

"The next thing I heard was a clatter — perhaps a chair going over — and a single door flew open banging against a wall. Cantona stormed out in a whirlwind of red mist.

"He went to Paris instead of Loftus Road and his days with Leeds were numbered.

"Two games later he was sold to United.

"They had asked about Lee Chapman but were offered Cantona instead. They must have done cartwheels.

"Our fans felt betrayed — selling Cantona to our title rivals was tantamount to swapping religions."


You sure thats true. I heard Leeds were ringing up inquiring about Denis Irwin. Fergie said no way Jose and just before hanging up made a quick inquiry about Cantona. He wasnt expecting anything and was surprised when they said they would sell him. Thats what I read but it could be wrong?

[carlyluvsunited]

You sure thats true. I heard Leeds were ringing up inquiring about Denis Irwin. Fergie said no way Jose and just before hanging up made a quick inquiry about Cantona. He wasnt expecting anything and was surprised when they said they would sell him. Thats what I read but it could be wrong?You're right Jazz.....

I have heard Fergie say this in an interview on a video.......

I'll find out which one

[Keano's fan]

Thats the story I know. Sir Alex told Wilkinson that Irwin wont be sold for any price and then inquired about Eric. Apperantly Sir Alex and Ridsdale have two sides of the story.

[ron_aveiro]

and he's a great manager as well..he has proven it in beach soccer..became the manager for French team and won the world cup in 2005 and 2nd runner up in following year..let's see how he do this year..eventhough beach soccer is different than field soccer (hey, beach soccer is tougher u know) but at least he has proven that he has great managing skills..

[ron_aveiro]

yeah and he's a great manager as well..he has proven it in beach soccer..became the manager for French team and won the world cup in 2005 and 2nd runner up in following year..let's see how he do this year..eventhough beach soccer is different than field soccer (hey, beach soccer is tougher u know) but at least he has proven that he has great managing skills..

[rydersonthestorm]

He was a great player but he was a little overated in terms of his footballing talents, he wasn't as effective in europe as he could have been. However his attitude and influence and the club where what mattered the most, he got players training and doing important things that helped mold the united teams of the future.
He helped turn united from a good team into something special, players like scholes,giggs,beckham etc all benefited greatly from his attitude in training and his technical skill.

[Wazza1989]

great player....a true legend

[NateR]

An absolute Legend. I grew up on this guy. I still remember that great goal he scored vs Liverpool in the FA Cup final. I still remember all the hype surrounding his return from that seven or so months ban. I only wish i had a chance to see him play more. :(

[Keano4taoiseach]

He was a great player but he was a little overated in terms of his footballing talents, he wasn't as effective in europe as he could have been. However his attitude and influence and the club where what mattered the most, he got players training and doing important things that helped mold the united teams of the future.
He helped turn united from a good team into something special, players like scholes,giggs,beckham etc all benefited greatly from his attitude in training and his technical skill.





The same player who George Best said about......"he is the one player I wish I could have played with at United"...

[rydersonthestorm]

Look even ferguson thinks what i am saying is right, cantona didn't step his game up on the european nights, he was a great player but his influence at the club is what made him the legend he is.

[dannyb88]

Cantona is just special.....he could create chances from nothing my best memory was i think against spurs when the ball came to him he flicked it with the outside of his boot right through to irwin who smashed it past the keeper.or the volley against arsenal in like 95 clearance out he took it on his chest and smashed it off the bar and in, then theres the sunderland chip....the list is endless! Absolute legend, one of the best players iv seen play at united.

[andycole9]

You sure thats true. I heard Leeds were ringing up inquiring about Denis Irwin. Fergie said no way Jose and just before hanging up made a quick inquiry about Cantona. He wasnt expecting anything and was surprised when they said they would sell him. Thats what I read but it could be wrong?
yea that's true it's in fergie's autobiography

[andycole9]

He was a great player but he was a little overated in terms of his footballing talents, he wasn't as effective in europe as he could have been. However his attitude and influence and the club where what mattered the most, he got players training and doing important things that helped mold the united teams of the future.
He helped turn united from a good team into something special, players like scholes,giggs,beckham etc all benefited greatly from his attitude in training and his technical skill.
overrated? :confused:

cantona was a genius on the field. the best player i've ever seen play for united in my lifetime, you say he didnt rise to the occasion in europe?our full team was no good in europe at the time, coming off the ban (english clubs) and the 3 foriegner rule had a lot to do with it, he was either not playing or if he was he was playing with loads of teenagers.

you would of been only 14 when he retired maybe if you was a bit older and got to see him play week in and week out you would realize your statement about him being overated was harsh

[rydersonthestorm]

I said a little overated and it's true alot of people talk about him like he was as good as zidane or people like that and that isn't the case. I said he was a great player but it wasn't just his play that made him a legend it was the way he took the club forward and influenced the young players at the club. Ferguson even thought that eric was a little tame in europe compared to the way he could dominate in the league. Also considering you are only a few years older tham me i think age has got little to do with anything, i don't like it when people come up with stupid comments like that.