Cantona reacts to Premier League Hall of Fame honour

King Eric is one of six players from a 23-man shortlist who will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this week, after receiving the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League Panel.

Cantona famously joined the club from rivals Leeds United in 1992 and became a talismanic figure at Old Trafford, helping Alex Ferguson’s Reds to win four of the first five Premier League titles. 

Always a man of his own, the Frenchman retired from football on this day in 1997 at the age of 30 and when still at the peak of his powers, yet his achievements will never be forgotten.  

 

"Just a genius"

Relive Eric Cantona's finest #PL moments as former players explain why they picked him for the #PLHallOfFame pic.twitter.com/y1jR0LACWs

— Premier League (@premierleague) May 18, 2021

Speaking to PremierLeague.com, the iconic Frenchman typically said: “I am very happy and very proud but, at the same time, I am not surprised. I would've been surprised not to be elected! 

“I played football, I loved football, I dreamed about football as a kid. Of course to play in England was a dream, it was a dream for everybody, playing for the Premier League.

“I have been lucky to play in this team, with wonderful players, a wonderful manager and wonderful fans. 

“We won and we really enjoyed [it], and it was the football I dreamed about because Manchester United, it's a club where they want to win things but in a good way. It was like this in the time of Matt Busby, it's the identity of this club and the philosophy of this club.”

Concluding his interview with the Premier League in style, Eric stated: “I think you have maybe nearly 30 players who could be elected.

“Me, it's different. If you have to elect one, it's me. But the other ones are all great. Me? I'm exceptional!”