Eric Cantona – The enigma, the genius, the catalyst. Eric Cantona is often regarded as the final piece in the jigsaw puzzle that brought back the league title to Old Trafford after a painful 26-year wait.
When Cantona’s Leeds United pipped United to the title in 1992, it raised a few eyebrows when he jumped across the Pennines to join fierce rivals United for what was at the time a lot of money (£1m).
But he didn’t look back as United fans said ‘Merci beaucoup’ to the West Yorkshire club for the Frenchman who brought a much-needed winning mentality to the club that had great potential.
Cantona is also cited as the reason aforementioned ‘Fergie’s Fledglings’ became the players they are as the youngsters learnt an awful lot from their mentor during his successful five-year stint at United where he took the great Denis Law’s title as ‘The King’.
His undeniable impact in Manchester was done with such ease and simplicity that it was summed up by his stunning goal at Old Trafford against Sunderland in 1995.
His persona was so unfathomable and unpredictable that it left analysts and defenders similarly clutching at straws when it came to understanding the great man.
His most famous quote came at a press conference after an 8-month ban after attacking a Crystal Palace fan during a game at Selhurst Park.
He said: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.”
Cantona continued to grow in the estimation of fans when he opposed the Glazer takeover of Manchester United in 2005, and has stated that he will not return to the club, even as a manager, while the Glazer family is in charge.
He wore the famous number 7 shirt at United which was previously worn by George Best and Bryan Robson, and subsequently worn by David Beckham, Cristiano Ronaldo and Michael Owen. In 2001, he was voted as Manchester United’s player of the century and is affectionately spoken of by fans for bringing back the glory days to Manchester United.
Cantona once said: “I’m so proud the fans still sing my name, but I fear tomorrow they will stop. I fear it because I love it. And everything you love, you fear you will lose.”
Fear not Monsieur, fear not.