In 1992 Howard Wilkinson took Cantona to Leeds Utd where he made 28 appearances, scoring 9 times, helping them to win the old Division 1 title. Before the start of season 1992/93, Fergie made a cheeky £1.2m bid for Cantona and to his amazement and Leeds supporters’ anguish the bid was accepted. Cantona and United inaugurated the new Carling Premiership with the title. He was Utd’s missing link, the catalyst – 26 years of hurt was over. Season 1993/94 saw Utd win a league and cup double with Cantona. Scoring twice in the FA Cup Final against Chavski Utd won the game 4-0.
Season 1994/95 was tragic for Cantona and Utd. During a league encounter, with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Cantona was sent off. On his way to the touchline, under immense provocation, he reacted to on fan. He launched feet first, Kung Fu style, at the abusive fan. As a consequence for the assault he received an 8 month ban from football by the FA and a 120 hour community service. Sadly, his team mates suffered in his absence when during the finale of the season Blackburn beat Utd to the title after Utd failed to beat West Ham at Upton Park.
To add insult to injury Utd lost the FA Cup Final to Everton, losing 1-0 (Paul Rideout struck the winner). Cantona returned in season 1995/96 and made his much awaited entrance against Liverpool at Old Trafford. A foul on Nicky Bu** led to a penalty which Eric converted expertly. The game ended 2-2 but the result was immaterial. Eric’s successful rehabilitation and return was far more important Utd won the league and cup double with Eric striking the solitary winning goal against Liverpool in the Final, a special and poignant goal. Eric signed off his Utd career by securing another title in season 1996/97 in a more subdued fashion.
His place in Utd history and folklore secured, his place in our hearts everlasting – even today his name echoes around OT in sheer admiration for the great man. F*ck Henry, Ronaldhino, Zidane, Totti or whatever their name. There has never been or will be a player like Cantona. That Grace and flair you will never see. And the way he carry’s himself around with his chest so gracefully, he just breaths authority. He’s a legend, not just for his football but the way he transformed the sleeping giant that was Manchester United. He was the missing piece of the jigsaw. "Seagulls and trawlers" ladies and gentleman! Le King!
Eric Cantona was one of the most iconic images. And almost certainly THE most influential just a couple of things to put right. Eric was brought at the end of Nov in the 92/93 season, he played against Utd for Leeds at OT, after which Pally and Bruce both told Sir Alex that he was the most difficult striker they had played against, and that Utd should buy him. A few weeks later Leeds called to see if Utd were prepared to sell Denis Irwin, Fergie gave a definite NO but asked if Leeds were prepared to sell Eric, at which Leeds said yes.
Look at Cantona’s record in terms of trophies; look at the drastic turn my side took when we lost him. Surely even with your scouse hat on you can admit he was the best in this country at the time he was playing? Admittedly, Cantona’s record in Europe was disappointing as was his record for France. But his importance and significance to Utd was the key to changing Fergie’s fortunes. Until Cantona’s arrival Utd were a decent side but that "something" was missing, Cantona was it! He had an aura about him, a degree of authority, was a temperamental maverick, epitomising Fergie’s visions on the field.
Cantona was the greatest player in the history of the premiership. His influence was the biggest of any player to have played in England. He won the premiership every time he finished a season in England (and United would probably have won it in 1994-1995 had Cantona not be banned). Five premiership titles, 2 F.A. Cups and a couple of charity shields. He was unique but there will always be those who hate him because a) he had such natural talent and b) he played for Manchester United.
Personally I don’t understand "hatred" of such players. I’m a United fan but it’s not like I hate Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Lampard, Ian Rush and John Barnes. All those players are great in their own way. Did I support them? No, but I respect them as the great players they are/were.
And the only thing he and Henry have in common is that they are French. Is he the greatest player in United’s history?
I think so although maybe Keane, Schmeichel and Giggs have played longer and have achieved more. To win as much as he did in his short time shows how great he was. They are totally different players. Is he the greatest player in football history. Don’t know as you can’t really compare a players like Cantona and Zidane (too very similar players in style) to the older players like George Best and Pele. But he is in my book the greatest player I have seen along with Zidane.
Put quite simply ’the finest footballer I have ever seen.’ OK Alex Ferguson said it (he might be biased) but he was the player who propelled Man Utd to a period of dominance over the title that will not be equalled (i said propelled, don’t mean he was there the whole time). The fact that Man Utd fans voted them their greatest ever player shows that he was simply magnificent. Please, Please, Please let Chelsea, Arsenal and Man City fans disagree (not Leeds mind cuz you’re down and you’re gay. only premiership fans have an opinion haha.)
For the most part, Cantona was very unlucky in European competition with United, as there was a rule for the amount of Foreigners (inc. Scottish, Irish, Welsh) in each team, United were only able to field 4! United never got to field a strong team, so Cantona and United were always going to have problems in European competition One of the greatest players ever and he wont be forgotten the only thing I don’t agree with is what he said when he retired that he lost his passion for the game its not true look at him now the passion will never leave him The true king of Old Trafford, by far the greatest player in Man Utd history, maybe the world.