Celebrating 20 Years of Eric

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.

Celebrating 20 Years of Eric

Gossip: Eric's replacement

Eric Cantona's sudden retirement sent the football word into shock in 1997.

Once the initial surprise subsided, the fans were asking one question. Who could possibly replace the team's talisman?

Chairman Martin Edwards may have insisted: "It is not our intention to get involved in speculation about other players at the moment", but that did not stop the press bandying a whole host of names around.

Middlesbrough star Juninho was said to be nailed-on to arrive at Old Trafford. 'Maverick king's exit opens way for Juninho' screamed one headline. To many writers, it appeared only a matter of time before the South American, brought to these shores by Bryan Robson, would be plying his trade in Manchester. At the time, the midfielder admitted: "I am proud my name has also been linked with United. They are a big club and I would be happy to have the chance to play for them." However, Juninho also had designs on La Liga and ended up joining Atletico Madrid, despite Tottenham agreeing a club record fee with Middlesbrough.

Focus also centred upon Rangers forward Brian Laudrup, who had been shining in the Scottish Premier League. It was reported that the boss thought he had got his man with a £6.5million offer but the Gers convinced the Dane to stay after emergency talks. Ajax had also be keen to land the classy younger brother of Michael, who would eventually join Chelsea in 1998 and whose brother is currently managing Swansea in the Barclays Premier League.

Alex Ferguson was said to have asked Kenny Swain to scout Crewe's Danny Murphy in England Under-20 action in Malaysia, a player who went on to be a nemesis in his Liverpool days. The Sunday Mirror forwarded Sunderland's Michael Bridges as an option for United but the wiry forward was to join Leeds and suffer from injury problems. The same newspaper also believed Juventus wide man Angelo Di Livio was on the manager's radar, despite competition from Roma. Sometimes the approach was a little scatter-gun as The Independent reacted instantly to Cantona's departure by listing possible targets that included Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier - "lazy by the standards of United's work effort" and Roberto Baggio - "although 30, still a great talent". The same article mentioned Dejan Savicevic and also included a passing reference to Teddy Sheringham, who would ultimately fill the Frenchman's shoes.

The Daily Mirror went on to claim 11 players had rejected moves to United, including other forwards such asGabriel Batistuta, Alen Boksic,Zinedine Zidane and Alan Shearer. And it was not just a Cantona replacement - Harry Harris claimed the manager had been "desperately searching for a sweeper for more than a year." AC Milan veteran Franco Baresiwas the reported chief target, despite alleged rival interest from Newcastle, but a story with more substance related toMarkus Babbel. The Bayern Munich defender saw a possible switch to the Reds collapse and complained: "They got cold feet and let the transfer fall through. I am being portrayed everywhere as a money-grabber and that's really not what I'm like."

With the Reds also said to have missed out on Stephane Henchoz, who joined Blackburn instead, Miguel Nadal,Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc, who would eventually head to the Theatre of the Dreams in 2001. The only defender to sign that summer wasHenning Berg, from Blackburn as work permit issues scuppered a deal to buy Brazilian centre-back Celio Silva from Corinthians. "It's important that as a club we never stand still," said Ferguson. "Eric Cantona has retired but Teddy Sheringham has come into the club and now we hope Celio Silva will also be joining us. I think that shows progress for the future and I've got the kind of balance to our squad that I think is essential."

In terms of a Cantona replacement, it is possible to argue that Sheringham was assisted by Paul Scholes, who really stepped up to the mark. Sheringham arrived from Spurs in a £3.5million deal in June that had the White Hart Lane faithful raging and he would play a key role in the 1999 Treble. Neil Harman in the Daily Mail got it right in terms of the impact Scholes could make as the youngster proved his talents that summer in Le Tournoi for England. "It has long been thought that 22-year-old Scholes possessed the sharpest mind, and keenest instinct, of the Fergie babes," he wrote. "But it was one which often had to lie dormant, waiting for the chance to break into United's first team, full time."

The manager, for his part, commented: "Paul's a smashing player who did well when he stepped in for Eric a couple of seasons ago. His goalscoring record is fantastic. We knew from his days with the youth team, that he'd be one of the best. I've had several managers on to me about his availability but there was never a chance of him leaving." Thank the heavens that the idea of Scholes departing was ever contemplated.

Celebrating 20 Years of Eric

Cantona calls it a day

Just short of his 31st birthday, Eric Cantona announced his retirement in 1997 with a year still left to run on his contract.

For all the talk that he would end up at Real Zaragoza, the Frenchman was true to his word in ending his career at United. It came as a shock to all the Reds fans, fearful of whether success would be maintained without the talismanic No7, but few begrudged him his decision.

A European semi-final defeat to Borussia Dortmund had hit Cantona hard and, despite skippering the side to another title, many pundits felt his shining light was dimming. The Guardian's David Lacey summed it up perfectly: "His contribution to the team's fourth championship in five years has been valuable but not invaluable. He finished the season looking broody."

Cantona once informed L'Equipe: "I'm naturally a curious person. Every day, I need to find something new, even simple things. It's this permanent state of curiosity that enables me to progress.'' So there was always the danger he would quit one day and look for progression elsewhere, even if Alex Ferguson still found it hard to conceal his disappointment after managing to convince the Old Trafford idol not to hang up his boots during his period of suspension in 1995.

"It's a sad day for United," the manager said. "I know Eric was particularly disappointed after the Dortmund game. We were all disappointed. He wasn't the only one in that boat but you wondered how he was ever going to get over it. We were all gutted. We all felt we should have been in the final. "That was the general mood around the club and not just with Eric. When he came to see me on Wednesday I got the impression that his position was unequivocal. I knew deep down that, no matter the things I was saying to him, he wasn't prepared to take them on board. I knew whatever I said I couldn't make him change his mind. "Whereas the previous time when he needed help, I managed to turn him around. Eric basically believes that he must go out at the top. Now he's gone, I don't feel let down. There can't be any recriminations in my heart.

"We've had some great players at this club and when the end has come we have just had to get on with life. The fans are going to have great memories of him, and so will I. "Eric's influence has been absolutely marvellous. He came at the right time to give us his vision. I think we might have won that first title anyway, but he gave us the composure and the crucial goals to pull it off.

"The years of Eric Cantona have been great for all of us," admitted the boss. "He has had a huge impact on the development of our younger players. Eric has been a model professional and he has been a joy to manage. He's certainly one of the most gifted and dedicated players that I've ever had the pleasure of working with. "Whenever fans discuss United's greatest-ever side, you can be sure that for many, Eric's name will be very high on the list. He leaves with our best wishes and he will always be welcome at Old Trafford. He has left us with so many wonderful memories."

For his part, Cantona issued only a brief statement to the media before eventually opting to pursue an acting career and enjoying more success in that field. "I have played professional football for 13 years, which is a long time," he said. "I now wish to do other things. I always planned to retire when I was at the top and at Manchester United I have reached the pinnacle of my career. "In the last four and a half years, I have enjoyed my best football and had a wonderful time. I have had a marvellous relationship with the manager, coach, staff and players, and not least the fans. I wish United even more success in the future."

With that, he was gone. But never forgotten by the supporters who still regularly chant his name.

Celebrating 20 Years of Eric

Eric: United perfect for me

During his recent visit to Manchester for Sir Alex Ferguson’s statue unveiling, Eric sat down with Inside United to reflect on his “perfect” relationship with the Reds some 20 years on from his arrival at Old Trafford…

“It feels like only yesterday” 

Ah, I know it’s been 20 years. In 20 years’ time I will be 66 – the years have gone so fast so I am a bit worried! [Laughs] I hope the next 20 years will be as strong as the last ones I have lived including my time here and the different things I have done. I have had some great times. I spent some great years here. I was never bored so time went quickly, so, yes, it feels like it was only yesterday.

“This club was even more than I could have imagined”

Sometimes you live in your own ideas [and imagine how a place will be] and it’s not really the truth, but this club was even more than I could have imagined. When you walk into the dressing room, all the energy of the past is so strong. You cannot imagine that before [you join], it's just something you feel when you are here. That energy helped me to give everything I could here for five years.

“Alex Ferguson helped me play in the best position for me”

It was perfect [at United]. [With] all kinds of strong relationships, in football, in life, in love, it’s all about your disposition. I think happiness is all about disposition. And after that we have to work together and Alex Ferguson helped me a lot. He helped me to play in the best position for me.

“I am so lucky to be loved by the people I love so much”

It’s always a great feeling when I come back and I still have all my memories [of my career at United]. To hear the fans singing some beautiful old songs from the years when I was a player…I take it as a privilege. I am so lucky to be loved by the people I love so much.

“United are as strong as the years before”

Last season United lost the league in the last minute. Sometimes that happens, but they are still a top team and a top team in Europe. They are as strong as years before and it’s great to see Ferguson create a new generation of players.

"Manchester is inspirational"

It’s always the same feeling when I come back – it’s a great feeling. I remember many things about Manchester – it’s a special place where I met a lot of people. I love this place. It’s a very open-minded city in every kind of culture. It’s inspirational. The buildings, the colour of the buildings, the story of the city, the countryside… it is all beautiful. And the people I met outside of football were great, they helped me a lot. I love to come back, even on my own, to spend time here.

Celebrating 20 Years of Eric

Eric and Me: Sir Alex

Reds boss Sir Alex Ferguson ponders where Cantona places among his shrewdest purchases...

Was Cantona my best ever signing? It's a good question. Well, in terms of value, Eric was around £1million, Peter Schmeichel was £500,000, Brian McClair was £800,000 – they were all fantastic. Paul Ince was a million and a half and we sold him for eight, Ruud van Nistelrooy was value in terms of selling him, and the players we produced ourselves after signing them as schoolboys, they’re total profit.

Then you have Cristiano Ronaldo, £12m to £80m! If you’re talking about the best players in terms of value, then Schmeichel, Cantona, McClair, Ronaldo – unbelievable. But to analyse the signing as it was without talking about money, Eric certainly brought a great confidence to the team, there’s no doubt about that.

He brought an arrogance, and for him personally it was as if he had come to the place he always wanted to be. You could tell he would fit in straight away. He came on for the first time as a substitute against Man City, for Giggs. But when he came on I always remember his first pass, just a ten-yard simple pass – it was just genius. You knew then that he was fitting in.

A True Football Fan

A footie fan was stunned to find he was his Italian premier league team’s ONLY supporter at an away match. Arrigo Brovedani said he didn’t expect many Udinese fans to make the near 250-mile trip to Sampdoria’s 36,000 stadium to watch them on a cold December night. But Udinese captain Antonio Di Natale appreciated his backing — and jokingly asked the loyal fan on to the pitch to warm up with the Serie A side. Throughout the match, Brovedani didn't let the fact he was the only person in the 4,134-seater away section get him down, bellowing: “Come on Udinese!”

He was also given a shirt by Sampdoria, hot coffee from the stewards — then invited for a drink with the home fans afterwards. And after winning 2-0 Udinese dedicated their victory to him — and invited him to their next match on Saturday. The wine merchant said: "I went there thinking I'd find five or six other people. "I went into the stadium while they were warming up. I shouted and said 'Hi' to the team. "When I went in the local fans booed me, I felt a bit offended. "But in the end they clapped and invited me for coffee and a meal, and the club managers gave me a shirt. They wished me a merry Christmas."

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