Eric "King" Cantona

Eric Cantona was perhaps the most influential footballer in English footballer of the 1990s. A player of true vision and creativity, worthy of that now, much over-used word, "genius". His passing, innovation and influence was unrivalled, he could split a defence with the sort of pass that only he could create. Eric had an exhilarating array of skills, back-heels, stylish flicks, turns and lobs combined with immaculate ball control and touch.

His shooting from long-range was superb while one-on-one with the goalkeeper, he was ice cool and clinical. If opposing defenders lost concentration for a millisecond, it would be enough for Cantona to punish them and set the Reds on the way to another vital victory. Together with a sometimes unpredictable Gallic temperament, Cantona was a one-man footballing phenomenon.

Cantona was a unique character, a one-off, but Manchester United and Eric was a match made in heaven. When Alex Ferguson stunned everyone in English football with the deal of the decade that aquired him from Leeds, few knew the impact Eric would make. Most United fans thought he was no more than a strengthening of the squad, but a few months later it became clear that Cantona was by far the most important player at Old Trafford. From the moment he walked through the door he realised there was at last the platform he was looking for, huge potential, huge support and a working assumption that only the best is good enough. And Eric Cantona knew he was the best.
The Catalyst for success
He was the final piece of Alex Ferguson's jigsaw in creating a team to end United's 26 year wait for a league title. Within a short while of his arrival, such was his powerful influence that the whole United team revolved around the mercurial Frenchman. With Cantona and United playing the most attractive football of the 90's they not only ended that 26 year wait and went on to do the League and Cup Double in 1994 and 1996 with another Premier League title in 1997.

Cantona had numerous problems with discipline during his career in France, sendings off and tantrums prevented him making a real impact. Born in Paris, he was brought up in Marseille and made his first-team debut for Auxerre, a local club, in 1983. He signed professional forms for Auxerre in June 1986 and made his full International debut in 1987 against West Germany. After 81 league games and 23 goals for Auxerre he signed in 1988 for French champions Marseille for £2.3 million where he won the League and Cup double in 1989. However, after a row when he angrily threw his shirt to the ground he was loaned to out Bordeaux, before signing for Montpellier, with whom he won the French Cup in 1990. He returned to Marseille again, then was sold for £1 million to Nîmes where he became Captain.

His rebellious behaviour forced him to leave after arguments with managers, referees, and team-mates. In August 1988, he insulted the French national team manager on television and was banned from the national side for a year. After he threw the ball at a referee in while playing for Nîmes he was banned for three matches. In the disciplinary hearing that followed an annoyed Cantona went up to three members of the French FA and shouted "Idiot!" in each of their faces. This led to a two month ban and Eric announced his retirement from football in December 1991, it would be only temporary however. Cantona returned in England and made a low-key return briefly at Sheffield Wednesday before joining Leeds United in February 1992 - in time to make 15 league appearances and help Leeds win the Championship at Manchester United's expense.

He became an idol of the Leeds fans as they sang the terrace chant "Ohh-Ahh-Cantona". Then suddenly in November 1992 after 13 appearances into the new season, he was sensationally transferred to Manchester United for the comparatively small sum of £1.2 million. It was to be one of the biggest bargains in British football history. Cantona inspired United to their first League title for 26 years in 1993 and the following year another title with the FA Cup - to complete the club's first Double. He also won the recognition of his fellow professional's, winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 1994 and had also risen to become Captain of the French National team.
The French rebel
Cantona had numerous problems with discipline during his career in France, sendings off and tantrums prevented him making a real impact. Born in Paris, he was brought up in Marseille and made his first-team debut for Auxerre, a local club, in 1983. He signed professional forms for Auxerre in June 1986 and made his full International debut in 1987 against West Germany. After 81 league games and 23 goals for Auxerre he signed in 1988 for French champions Marseille for £2.3 million where he won the League and Cup double in 1989. However, after a row when he angrily threw his shirt to the ground he was loaned to out Bordeaux, before signing for Montpellier, with whom he won the French Cup in 1990. He returned to Marseille again, then was sold for £1 million to Nîmes where he became Captain.

His rebellious behaviour forced him to leave after arguments with managers, referees, and team-mates. In August 1988, he insulted the French national team manager on television and was banned from the national side for a year. After he threw the ball at a referee in while playing for Nîmes he was banned for three matches. In the disciplinary hearing that followed an annoyed Cantona went up to three members of the French FA and shouted "Idiot!" in each of their faces. This led to a two month ban and Eric announced his retirement from football in December 1991, it would be only temporary however. Cantona returned in England and made a low-key return briefly at Sheffield Wednesday before joining Leeds United in February 1992 - in time to make 15 league appearances and help Leeds win the Championship at Manchester United's expense.

He became an idol of the Leeds fans as they sang the terrace chant "Ohh-Ahh-Cantona". Then suddenly in November 1992 after 13 appearances into the new season, he was sensationally transferred to Manchester United for the comparatively small sum of £1.2 million. It was to be one of the biggest bargains in British football history. Cantona inspired United to their first League title for 26 years in 1993 and the following year another title with the FA Cup - to complete the club's first Double. He also won the recognition of his fellow professional's, winning the PFA Player of the Year award in 1994 and had also risen to become Captain of the French National team.
Manchester United's greatest idol
At Leeds, Cantona was an idol, at Manchester United he was a God. Fans worshipped him the like of which Old Trafford had not seen or may ever see. He was hailed as "Eric the King" with the French red, white and blue colours as prevalent at Old Trafford than the normal red, white and black. Even to this day 3 years after his departure fans still sing his name. No United player has ever had such a relationship with his fans. Eric was a player to be proud of and symbol of a resurgent Manchester United in the 1990s. He encapsulated what United fans think of our club: different, better.

Memorable Cantona moments? Well, there are many: A stunning volley against Wimbledon in the FA Cup 5th Round 1994, his pair of penalty kicks that sunk Chelsea in the Cup Final of the same year, a brilliant chip against Sheffield United in the 3rd Round the following year. Then there was his individual effort against QPR in October 1993, scoring two goals against Man City in both derbies of the 93-94 season, his crucial winner at Newcastle in March 1996, his superb strike versus Arsenal that same month, his winning goal in the 1996 FA Cup Final, a delicate lob against Sunderland in December 1996.......the list could go on and on.
Super confident
When Eric was playing you always knew that when it mattered, United would win. Cantona would install in the rest of the team an unbeatable confidence. His presence alone was enough. Footballers need self-belief but Eric Cantona had unfathomable reserves of the stuff. His arrogance had upset colleagues in the past, but at United it only inspired them.

Eric really did intimidate opponents and wind-up opposing fans. There was his confident Gallic strut with his chest puffed out, or sometimes he'd stand with hands on hips gesturing like a movie Director. Not forgetting the way his shirt collar was always famously turned up. He was truly fascinating to watch but Cantona was no ordinary footballer. He liked philosophy, poetry, art, drama - this all added to his enigmatic character and reputation.
From hell to heaven
In the infamous "Kung-foo kick" Cantona's volatile state of mind led to him attacking an abusive spectator. A court sentence of 120 hours' community service was accompanied by a world-wide ban on Cantona playing football until October 1995. The French FA stripped him of captaincy of the national team and Cantona would never play for his country again. In his absence United lost the League by a point to Blackburn, a title they surely would have won had he not been banned.

Cantona's grace in accepting his punishment largely restored his popularity and he was voted the Football Writers' Association Footballer of the Year for 1996. 1996 was Cantona's greatest year in which as Captain he led United to the Double, almost single-handedly. Scoring a string of vital match winning goals, including the FA Cup-final winner against Liverpool. Cantona also played a vital role in the shaping and teaching of United's young players such as Beckham, Scholes and Giggs.
The shock retirement
In Cantona had a good season but failure to get to the European Cup Final and the emergence of United's young stars led him to suspect his powers were on the wane. In June 1997 after winning the League title he stunned the footballing world and left United fans gutted by announcing his retirement. Eric did not want to be remembered as an ageing player past his best, he wanted to always be remembered at his magnificent prime, a winner. Cantona instead planned to take up a different stage, amazingly, as a film actor. He did however return for one final game in the famous red shirt, playing in the Munich Memorial game in November 1998.

A year later Eric returned for Alex Ferguson's Testimonial in which he played with a United legends team alongside Bruce, Pallister, Hughes, Robson and Schmeichel. Even after the Treble winning heroics, Cantona's popularity with the United fans was still as strong as it ever was. The acting career path has so far not been a huge success and Cantona has returned to the game representing France in the shape of professional Beach football - and his superb skills are still very evident. In May 2001 Manchester United announced Cantona would return to Old Trafford in an informal role to coach the youth team and younger players. If it is successful, perhaps he may yet have another role to play in the club's history.

Conclusion

As unexpectedly as he had arrived he was gone. The King had abdicated and his throne was empty. Consequently, Alex Ferguson reshaped his team to play more as a unit and not revolve around Cantona. United never really did replace him, there was no-one like him and no-one would ever be like him. A true great and legend, Eric "The King" Cantona, we will probably never see his like again.

Cantona Trivia

Eric was born in the French capital Paris but grew up in the Mediterranean city of Marseille.

Cantona spent 1984 doing his national service in the French Army

His first ever appearance for the Reds was against Benfica in Lisbon, in a friendly match to mark the 50th birthday of Eusebio.

He did not always wear the number 7 shirt. Eric was 12 in season 1992/1993. In 1994 he was given the 7 upon Bryan Robson's retirement. Beckham took the shirt in 1997.

No sprawling mansion for Eric, he lived in a humble semi-detached house in Alderley Edge whilst playing for United.

His final competitive game came against West Ham on 11th May 1997. His final appearance before retiring was five days later on Friday 16th May. In a testimonial for David Busst against Coventry City at Highfield Road, Eric scored twice in a 2-2 draw.

Eric was the star of many Nike adverts, famously playing against a team of demonic creatures in "Good vs Evil" at a Roman coliseum and playing amateur football on Hackney Marshes.

He was later the ring master of the £10 million 'The Secret Tournament' in a caged arena featuring stars like Henry, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Luis Figo.

Cantona is still featuring in Nike ads today, nearly ten years after his retirement he front's their Germany 2006 ad campaign. www.soccercommercials.com

He has starred in many films. His first speaking role was in 'Elizabeth' in 1998 and he went on to star in 'Mookie', 'Les Enfants du Marais' and 'L'Outremangeur' in which he donned a fat suit to play an overweight detective.

He is married to Isobel and has two children. His brother Joel was also a footballer and played for Ujpest Dozsa and Stockport County.

He became captain of the French National Beach Football team and won the beach soccer world championship in Rio de Janeiro

Cantona's personal idols are Maradona, Mickey Rourke, Marlon Brando, Jim Morrison and the French poet Rimbaud.

He has been outspoken in his criticism of the Glazer takeover

Cantona Quote: "When the seagulls... follow the trawler... it's because they think... sardines will be thrown... into the sea".

Cantona Quote: “Whatever happens, there are always things you could have done better. You score two goals and you usually feel you could have done better.You score two goals and you usually feel you could have scored a third. That's perfectionism. That's what makes you progress in life.”

Cantona Quote: "An artist in my eyes, is someone who can lighten up a dark room. I have never and will never find difference between the pass from Pele to Carlos Alberto in the final of the World Cup in 1970 and the poetry of the young Rimbaud, who stretches cords from steeple to steeple and garlands from window to window. There is in each of these human manifestations an expression of beauty which touches us and gives us a feeling of eternity."
Biodata Eric Cantona
Born : 24 May 1966
Signed : 27 Nov 1992
Debut : 6 Dec 1992 v Manchester City (H) League
Goals Total : 82
Appearances Total: 185
Position : Forward
Left United : 19 May 1997
referensi: http://www.id-manutd.com/legenddetail.php?pilihlegend=7