Cantona interview: Sept 96
Fresh from the glory of 1996's double Double, Eric was optimistic about what lay ahead in 1996/97 - but he delivered a prescient vision of the events about to unfold...
Newcastle were doing very well last season. Did you think they were going to win [the title]?
No, no. We had to believe we could win. Even when we were 12 points behind, we all believed we could still win it.
In the game against QPR when you equalised, you didn’t look happy. You wanted to score another goal...
I always want to win. My team-mates too, and the manager, and Brian Kidd. Everybody. Of course. It was an important moment in the season, when we had climbed to only seven points behind. But when we didn’t win it was a very difficult moment for us. Four days later we played Arsenal and those were a difficult four days. We started from zero, we forgot everything and started to win again. There is a very good team spirit. That includes everybody.
The Newcastle game at St James’ Park was incredible too…
Yes, but I think the best moment was at West Ham. If we had lost there… After West Ham, every game was important. Newcastle was just one of the games we had to play. We had to win every one because we were too many points behind. We had to win, win, win, win, win. It didn’t matter whether it was against Newcastle or Bolton or whoever.
Your goal in the FA Cup final was a special moment. Have you thought about it a lot during the summer?
I’ve thought about it, of course. I sometimes think about the feeling. But I’ve thought about it not because it was a great goal, but because it meant the double Double for Manchester United. It was historic. The feeling between us and among the fans – I’ll never forget it. It was a great moment for everyone who loves Manchester United.
You spoke to Des Lynam before the FA Cup. Why did you feel it was time to speak [to the English media for the first time since the incident at Selhurst Park]?
I didn’t want to speak before we had won anything because so many bad things had been said about me, some of which I deserved, some of which I don’t think I deserved. Some people wanted me to explain or say something that would help. I thought the best answer to give was to win something, to win the Premiership. After we won something I could talk about something other than the incident – about the Championship. It was another life. Not because I didn’t want to speak about the incident, but because the best answer I could give was to win something.
Actions speak louder than words?
Ah yes, I know that saying. That is exactly right.
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