Eric Cantona speaking during Manchester United podcast.

UTD Podcast: Cantona’s one United fear

Monday 10 February 2020 16:07

The latest episode of the UTD Podcast features one of Manchester United’s all-time greatest players: Eric Cantona.

Our former no.7’s charisma, mystic and, most importantly, football skill means he has always been one of the Old Trafford’s faithful’s most-favourite sons; so much so his name is still regularly boomed out by supporters at the Theatre of Dreams.

Speaking as part of UTD Podcast - which is available from Monday evening on the club's official music provider Deezer and all of your favourite podcast streaming apps - Eric revealed hearing his name sung by our fans is still a source of pride and fear.

"I feel proud,” he told our podcast presenters David May, Helen Evans and Sam Homewood, when asked about supporters’ chants. 

“I feel great and I feel a bit afraid that they will stop. Because they will stop one day.”
In five seasons at United, Eric and silverware became synonymous with one another. In fact, the Frenchman won four league titles and the FA Cup on two occasions in that period.

"The meaning of Manchester United is winning,” he explained. “It’s what all fans of Manchester United expect. Not only winning, winning with enjoyment. 

“Like for 25 years with Alex Ferguson, or before with Matt Busby. That’s Manchester United, it’s why we all love Manchester United.”

One of Eric’s greatest achievements at United was his ability to help our youngsters progress into first team, while simultaneously continuing our tradition of winning trophies.

Cantona was a leader in our youthful team during the mid-1990s which included our renowned ‘Class of ’92’, and the 53-year-old reflects on our 1995/96 double-winning season as his most-iconic moment for the Reds.
"Maybe when we won the double with a new generation of players,” he said. “We won the double with [Paul] Ince, with [Mark] Hughes, and then [Sir Alex] Ferguson because he knew that the young players were great.

“Of course, it was an unbelievable generation of players. So it’s why it’s something special. It means something special for me and I think for the club also.

“Because I think it’s important to win things with players coming through the academy. It’s like Barcelona, you are prouder than if you win with the players you buy anywhere.
 
"Did I feel a responsibility?” he continued. “No. Just train hard. I respect myself and I tried to respect the people around me but I didn’t want to be an example.
UTD Podcast: Eric recalls his iconic chip Video

UTD Podcast: Eric recalls his iconic chip

In his unmissable UTD Podcast, King Cantona revealed how a rejected handshake inspired his most famous celebration...

“I never wanted to be an example. No, I didn’t want to be an example because it’s a way also to feel like being in jail. I love to feel the freedom and I don’t want to put too much pressure on me.

“Everything I can [do] to be more free I [do]. If you say to yourself that you are an example and you have a responsibility for the other ones - for some people it’s good, but for me it’s not good.”

You can listen to the rest of the insightful interview, as well as previous UTD Podcast episodes, on Deezer and all your favourite podcast platforms now.

Recommended: