King Eric - 23 Years Later

FrankDrebin

Don't call me Shirley
Joined
Aug 25, 2019
Messages
19,877
Location
Police Squad
Supports
USA Manchester Red Socks
I only really started to take a stronger interest in United the season after he retired unfortunately.
But one question that generally pops up regarding Cantona was his European form.
Was it as patchy as fans have said or was he actually quite influential just the expectation on him was ott ?
 

Can7onA

Full Member
Joined
Apr 9, 2008
Messages
1,298
I only really started to take a stronger interest in United the season after he retired unfortunately.
But one question that generally pops up regarding Cantona was his European form.
Was it as patchy as fans have said or was he actually quite influential just the expectation on him was ott ?
You got to remember the 3 foreigner rule was in then so we couldn't really put out a full strength team, Irwin/Schmikes/Cantona/Hughes etc, you could only have 3 in the team.
 

Art Vandelay

Full Member
Joined
Jan 29, 2015
Messages
5,729
Location
Northern Ireland
I only really started to take a stronger interest in United the season after he retired unfortunately.
But one question that generally pops up regarding Cantona was his European form.
Was it as patchy as fans have said or was he actually quite influential just the expectation on him was ott ?
I think it was a combination of things. Most of the best players were in Italy and Spain so naturally those leagues were stronger. Also the 3 foreigners rule severely hampered us making us weaker overall. So it was a lot more pressure playing against better teams while we were a lot weaker.
 

2cents

Historiographer, and obtainer of rare antiquities
Scout
Joined
Mar 19, 2008
Messages
16,172
I only really started to take a stronger interest in United the season after he retired unfortunately.
But one question that generally pops up regarding Cantona was his European form.
Was it as patchy as fans have said or was he actually quite influential just the expectation on him was ott ?
We weren’t great in Europe as a team during his time (for a variety of reasons beyond his control), it would’ve been too much to ask him to drag the side to over-achieve. Having said that the 4-0 home win vs. Porto in 1997 marked our announcement as serious contenders and he was sublime. It was, however, his final season and he was clearly past his peak. He also had a disappointing semi-final vs. Dortmund, especially in the home leg. I suspect he decided he’d had enough after that match.

The Cantona of 93-96 wouldn’t have looked out of place at all in any of the top European sides of those years, although there was always the suspicion that it was only at OT under Fergie that he had all the conditions necessary to fulfill his talent.
 

MrPooni

New Member
Joined
Feb 10, 2012
Messages
2,423
He had a profound impact on almost every aspect of my life growing up and he's only gone up in my estimation since then.
 

Falcow

New Member
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
1,338
Location
Dublin
Well there is a coincidence, I've literally just finished watching the first episode of inhuman resources on Netflix in which he stars, French drama. Just saw his face and flicked it on, not bad thus far. I was actually thinking watching it that it was 23 years this year but didnt know it was to the day.

I was way younger than him when he retired and now I'm way older then he was 23 years ago, I feel old.

Long live the king.
 

Random Task

WW Lynchpin
Joined
Feb 7, 2010
Messages
34,503
Location
Chester
I bet he could still play the game as fluently as most players in the PL right now.

Give him a contract, position him at CAM and instruct him thus: 'just do stuff when you receive the ball, Eric'. We'll have the title in the bag by late January.
 

Sandikan

aka sex on the beach
Joined
Mar 14, 2011
Messages
52,710

This was brilliant. The whole stadium going at it with Eric on the lap of honour.
This confused me for a second, until seeing that it was August 98, so the start of the next season.
As in my hazy memory I'd remembered he'd quit at the end of 97 - a massive surprise.

I remember Liverpool kids at school being cocky. When it was Fergie going they should have been looking forward to.
 

dogwithabone

Full Member
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
2,256
I can remember exactly where I was when I heard we’d signed Cantona. Not too many moments, football wise, when something sticks in the memory like that.
 

MancunianAngels

Full Member
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
2,415
Location
Manchester
Supports
FC United
This confused me for a second, until seeing that it was August 98, so the start of the next season.
As in my hazy memory I'd remembered he'd quit at the end of 97 - a massive surprise.

I remember Liverpool kids at school being cocky. When it was Fergie going they should have been looking forward to.
That game was played as part of a memorial for the 40th anniversary of Munich.
 

RedPed

Whatabouter.
Joined
Jun 24, 2015
Messages
14,558
If you want to see the King in a COMPLETELY different light, may I recommend this piece of French arthouse:

You and the Night (2014)

I refuse to believe his todger is that big
 

The Brown Bull

It's Coming Home.
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
4,242
Location
Dublin.
Am watching a French TV series called Inhuman Resources starring Eric on Netflix at the moment. Not bad at all.
 

buckooo1978

Full Member
Joined
Jul 14, 2008
Messages
13,740
most iconic player in the Premier Leagur era by a mile - fecking love Eric
 

mshnsh

New Member
Newbie
Joined
Mar 17, 2013
Messages
1,361
Location
old trafford
An artist on the football pitch. For me as good as any player in the premier league. Doesnt get the credit he deserves outside of united and amongst some united fans.

The lack of champions league titles was more down to the 3 foreigners rule as well as other leagues top teams being much stronger so that he had too much to do.
 

The Brown Bull

It's Coming Home.
Joined
Jan 24, 2014
Messages
4,242
Location
Dublin.
When I think back to Cantona's goals for United, I recall 25-yard blockbusters, outrageous volley's, and that chip.

I didn't realize until after watching that vid how many goals Eric scored with his head.
That header to beat Blackburn in 95, in the game before he was suspended, that was magic.