Eric Cantona appreciation thread

Zlatan 7

We've got bush!
Joined
May 26, 2016
Messages
11,531
I was about 14/15 on holidays in Greece with my nan and gramp, I vividly remember my gramp coming into the hotel room to tell me Cantona had retired. It’s strange the details that stick with you re people that make an impact on you
 

AkaAkuma

Full Member
Joined
May 15, 2012
Messages
3,203
This resonates. He was flawed, but even as a grown man I still respect him as childhood role model. He was real, intelligent and had conviction. He was unique, who has followed him with such gravitas?

It would be interesting to know how fans outside of the club viewed him.
 

Gio

★★★★★★★★
Joined
Jan 25, 2001
Messages
20,297
Location
Bonnie Scotland
Supports
Rangers
That run in March and April 1996 when United overhauled Newcastle into top spot. Starting with that Newcastle game, he scored in 6 consecutive league games, grabbing the winner in four 1-0 victories, and a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Capped it off in May with the winner in yet another 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Final. What also made that run special was both the calibre of the opposition in turning over all the best teams in England at the time - Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs - and the quality of the goals - the ice-cold downward volley against Newcastle, the chest control and long-range lob over Seaman, the take in a crowded midfield, run and outside-the-box finish against Spurs, and the controlled volley in an awkward position against Liverpool. No easy goals in there, just pulling rabbits out the hat week after week. Rarely has a player produced such a series of singularly influential performances at the exact right time in the season - to not only drag his team-mates over the line, but to break the hearts of the challengers who had led all campaign.
 

Murder on Zidane's Floor

You'd better not kill Giroud
Joined
Jun 11, 2015
Messages
28,307
Even watching him play beach football tournaments was a pleasure.

He was incredible and vastly underrated in the pantheon of great PL strikers.

Giggs speaking to Rashford, telling him what it was like to play with him, his passes to his teammates perfect and how Rashford would of loved to play with him.
 

Murder on Zidane's Floor

You'd better not kill Giroud
Joined
Jun 11, 2015
Messages
28,307
That run in March and April 1996 when United overhauled Newcastle into top spot. Starting with that Newcastle game, he scored in 6 consecutive league games, grabbing the winner in four 1-0 victories, and a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Capped it off in May with the winner in yet another 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Final. What also made that run special was both the calibre of the opposition in turning over all the best teams in England at the time - Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs - and the quality of the goals - the ice-cold downward volley against Newcastle, the chest control and long-range lob over Seaman, the take in a crowded midfield, run and outside-the-box finish against Spurs, and the controlled volley in an awkward position against Liverpool. No easy goals in there, just pulling rabbits out the hat week after week. Rarely has a player produced such a series of singularly influential performances at the exact right time in the season - to not only drag his team-mates over the line, but to break the hearts of the challengers who had led all campaign.

Not exactly a lob...more a half volley smash

@2:08
 

17Larsson

Not a malefactor just a lagomorph
Joined
May 5, 2009
Messages
6,593
Location
30,000 feet above ground
That run in March and April 1996 when United overhauled Newcastle into top spot. Starting with that Newcastle game, he scored in 6 consecutive league games, grabbing the winner in four 1-0 victories, and a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Capped it off in May with the winner in yet another 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Final. What also made that run special was both the calibre of the opposition in turning over all the best teams in England at the time - Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs - and the quality of the goals - the ice-cold downward volley against Newcastle, the chest control and long-range lob over Seaman, the take in a crowded midfield, run and outside-the-box finish against Spurs, and the controlled volley in an awkward position against Liverpool. No easy goals in there, just pulling rabbits out the hat week after week. Rarely has a player produced such a series of singularly influential performances at the exact right time in the season - to not only drag his team-mates over the line, but to break the hearts of the challengers who had led all campaign.
I watched all those goals again last night.
"Now what's he going to do?... There is your answer"

The Arsenal one, though, was the most Cantona goal you'll ever see. The ball cleared and bouncing away when out of nowhere Cantona's chest appeared to take control of the situation.
Even when he took it down nobody else but him had an idea what he was about to do.

It was pure Cantona. Power, Poise, Arrogance, Imagination
 
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
I watched all those goals again last night.
"Now what's he going to do?... There is your answer"

The Arsenal one, though, was the most Cantona goal you'll ever see. The ball cleared and bouncing away when out of nowhere Cantona's chest appeared to take control of the situation.
Even when he took it down nobody else but him had an idea what he was about to do.

It was pure Cantona. Power, Poise, Arrogance, Imagination
Cantona and Arsenal will always be about the free kick and his tuba grip. What a goal.
 

Saddy

Full Member
Joined
May 8, 2019
Messages
328
Location
Manchester
I didn’t realise he was 6’ 3”. Just something about him made me think he was short.

Legend though.
Met him in a hotel and I'm 6-2 tall and seemed to tower over me - he's a BIG bloke but so fecking skilful and balanced as a player - bloody loved having him at United and must go down as the best signing we ever made in terms of the stepped change at the club. Perfect blend with the young talent coming through at the time.
 

Zlatan 7

We've got bush!
Joined
May 26, 2016
Messages
11,531
That run in March and April 1996 when United overhauled Newcastle into top spot. Starting with that Newcastle game, he scored in 6 consecutive league games, grabbing the winner in four 1-0 victories, and a last-minute equaliser in a 1-1 draw. Capped it off in May with the winner in yet another 1-0 victory in the FA Cup Final. What also made that run special was both the calibre of the opposition in turning over all the best teams in England at the time - Newcastle, Arsenal, Liverpool, Spurs - and the quality of the goals - the ice-cold downward volley against Newcastle, the chest control and long-range lob over Seaman, the take in a crowded midfield, run and outside-the-box finish against Spurs, and the controlled volley in an awkward position against Liverpool. No easy goals in there, just pulling rabbits out the hat week after week. Rarely has a player produced such a series of singularly influential performances at the exact right time in the season - to not only drag his team-mates over the line, but to break the hearts of the challengers who had led all campaign.
:) wonderful memories, well written
 

PeteManic

Full Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Messages
2,152
Fergie's most important signing. Someone who completely embodied the myth and magic of the Ferguson era. Oh to go back to 1992!
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
27,952
Location
Moscow
Probably the coolest footballer of all-time. Who would be his competition btw? Cruyff, Zidane, Maradona? Socrates? Netzer? While he may have not reached their heights on the pitch (he only spent 5 years at United and for most of the time we were handicapped in Europe by the foreign limit; plus he never properly fit into the French team), I can't think of any other player who would combine arrogance, charisma, talent and unique personality in such a way.

Ibra tries to emulate him in some ways, but he can't replicate Cantona's image even though he has way more options to promote his own image.
 
Joined
May 22, 2017
Messages
13,122
Probably the coolest footballer of all-time. Who would be his competition btw? Cruyff, Zidane, Maradona? Socrates? Netzer? While he may have not reached their heights on the pitch (he only spent 5 years at United and for most of the time we were handicapped in Europe by the foreign limit; plus he never properly fit into the French team), I can't think of any other player who would combine arrogance, charisma, talent and unique personality in such a way.

Ibra tries to emulate him in some ways, but he can't replicate Cantona's image even though he has way more options to promote his own image.
Nearly 25 years later Cantona is revered across the world. He still has that aura about him, and always will.

I love Zlatan, but his character is more of an ‘in-joke’ and a slight caricature that he plays up to. However, Cantona was pre internet, and the level of scrutiny on him now would have ridiculous.
 

Sparky_Hughes

I am Shitbeard.
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
17,537
The king of kings, the ultimate utd player, played for us the way we all wish we could, with a strut, a snarl and a swagger, a massive feck you to anyone who wasn't on board. Effortlessly cool and stylish, not just a footballing god but a cultural icon. If one individual could personify man utd, its the king.
 

harms

Shining Star of Paektu Mountain
Staff
Joined
Apr 8, 2014
Messages
27,952
Location
Moscow
No. Just no.
Nearly 25 years later Cantona is revered across the world. He still has that aura about him, and always will.

I love Zlatan, but his character is more of an ‘in-joke’ and a slight caricature that he plays up to. However, Cantona was pre internet, and the level of scrutiny on him now would have ridiculous.
That's precisely my point. The fact that Ibra tries to do that doesn't mean that he succeeds in doing so.
 

GueRed

Full Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2020
Messages
2,849
Location
London
Probably the coolest footballer of all-time. Who would be his competition btw? Cruyff, Zidane, Maradona? Socrates? Netzer? While he may have not reached their heights on the pitch (he only spent 5 years at United and for most of the time we were handicapped in Europe by the foreign limit; plus he never properly fit into the French team), I can't think of any other player who would combine arrogance, charisma, talent and unique personality in such a way.

Ibra tries to emulate him in some ways, but he can't replicate Cantona's image even though he has way more options to promote his own image.
zlatan tries so hard to be cool he just ends up looking like a try-hard nerd

eric is cool because he is his own man. He doesnt look to impress anyone. just be himself
 

Hughie77

Full Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2017
Messages
4,090
The best, for me he had everything maybe best penalty taker we've had. I bought a t shirt yrs ago with no 7 on back and cantona on front with his when seagulls follow the trawler quote, when I wore it, I had so many comments mostly positive even off the scum fans. Dont ask me where its gone. There were players and there was Eric Cantona.. special guy.
 

RedRonaldo

Wishes to be oppressed.
Joined
Aug 17, 2003
Messages
18,996
I still worship him. In my mind, he is always the king of old trafford.
 

RedDevilRoshi

Full Member
Joined
Sep 28, 2017
Messages
13,180
First ever Utd hero. Loved watching him play. Just pure confidence personified.

The KING :devil:
 

Green_Red

New Member
Joined
May 29, 2013
Messages
10,296
I remember being a kid and wanting a cast on my right arm. Thats my biggest memory of him, running away waving his finger after scoring a free kick against Arsenal with his arm in plaster. Legend!

2:11
 

Will Singh

Full Member
Joined
Jun 19, 2013
Messages
5,675
Location
Theatre of dreams
The King of Manchester, Legendary and was a joy to watch and was a pleasure to meet him after a game and see him show his appreciation to our fans was magic.
 

Pretzels81

Not Salty…
Newbie
Joined
Jun 23, 2020
Messages
1,766
I've said it many times. The most important Manchester United player since Charlton/Best.

And by far the biggest star of the PL in 92-97.
 

Mainoldo

New Member
Joined
Sep 17, 2004
Messages
22,965
The King!! We need that arrogance back in football and England. It’s dying.
 

PeteManic

Full Member
Joined
Dec 22, 2012
Messages
2,152
Fergie's most important signing. The King. Take me back to the 90s!
 

Whatsername

Full Member
Joined
Jul 30, 2014
Messages
1,100
Location
South Staffs/E239
Absolutely my favourite ever United player. I used to love watching him play, and watching at OT you’d see him making runs and taking up positions that would've been out of shot on TV, his reading of the game was incredible.

I bought a shirt signed by him from the club back in 94ish, my 20 year old son has now claimed it and it’s framed and hung on his wall.