Eric Cantona - is it possible to love a former player more?

Bearded but no genius

Full Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2004
Messages
67,680
I wasn't even around when Cantona played.

And yet, watching the MUTV interview that was just on US tv, I can't help but just adore him. Its been that way since the first time I saw footage of him play, and even more so when you see that the on field 'persona' isn't an act, but is Eric.

If any other player was snacking during an interview, or something like that, I would tag him as a pain in the arse or unprofessional. But with Cantona, it is just part of what you get, and makes him brilliant. Even when he was asked about why he never got the hairdryer he said "some players are better than others" with the sort of smile on his face that told you he knew the answer was down to Fergie rather than his talent.

I know he had this effect on millions around the world, but what is it about him that makes him so compelling and wonderful even this long later?

I guess if anyone knew they would bottle it and sell it...

PS. He has lost some weight in the last year or so, hasn't he?
 
i'll never forget the day he retired. i rang my dad up to make sure he was alright...but he hadn't heard!

so i had to break it to him...gently.
 
A pure footballing genius, we have had some skillful players grace Old Trafford through the years and Eric is rightly up there with the best of them
Apart from his footballing ability he has the personna of quality and attitude which spread through out the whole club.

Never to be forgotten, a true United legend.
 
duffer said:
His complete and utter gayness.
Click to expand...

retard.jpg
 
he's a footballer, an artist, a philosopher, and a King, says it all! It's mesmerizing to watch him!
 
Diver said:
compose yourself. I'm a united fan through and through, but zola was a fecking good player. Leave the childish comments to the chelsea bunch.
Click to expand...

good footballer can be gay! But that's not what we are discussing here!
 
bbest said:
the press conference by a sombre s.a.f. on cantona's retirement says it all.
Click to expand...

is there a you tube vid at all?

i cried when eric retired. he was one of the main reasons i started supporting United. In 1995, Eric was the main man. All the fuoure over his ban and the first game i really remember with any passion was the 2-2 against Liverpool! "cantonaaaa has made a goal for nicky butt!" he was always the
centre of attention. he was such a remarkable character, real charisma and presence. the collar turned up, a proper playground icon.

it's a mark of the man that he completely captivated me, yet i only watched the guy for 2 seasons. more remarkable is that he only played 180 odd times.

once in a lifetime IMO.
 
Plechazunga said:
I love Robbo and Keano more than Eric

Greater players
Click to expand...

robson is a generation thing. 80's fans appreciate him more methinks.
i always think that keano was under-appreciated by the fans until he began to show the signs of age and then we realised how bloody good he was.
 
YV> don't know. let's do a check. cantona creates a buzz and attracts our attention. and this by no means its his only talent. is it fair to say if keano is the captain of the team, cantona is the conductor? (not bus conductor)

Feed Me said:
is there a you tube vid at all?

i cried when eric retired. he was one of the main reasons i started supporting United. In 1995, Eric was the main man. All the fuoure over his ban and the first game i really remember with any passion was the 2-2 against Liverpool! "cantonaaaa has made a goal for nicky butt!" he was always the
centre of attention. he was such a remarkable character, real charisma and presence. the collar turned up, a proper playground icon.

it's a mark of the man that he completely captivated me, yet i only watched the guy for 2 seasons. more remarkable is that he only played 180 odd times.

once in a lifetime IMO.
Click to expand...
 
Feed Me said:
robson is a generation thing. 80's fans appreciate him more methinks.
i always think that keano was under-appreciated by the fans until he began to show the signs of age and then we realised how bloody good he was.
Click to expand...


Well that's natural, he was at his best in the 80s.

He was a far greater player than Cantona, wonderful though Eric was for us
 
RedTaff said:
This just about sums him up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wRHxjattf5E
Click to expand...

That's the greatest goal celebration of all time

feck back-flips, baby-rocking and pretend archery. He just stood there, in a way that meant, "feck me, I'm so amazing even I'm in awe"

Take note, Henry - that's how you do arrogant without looking a twat. Not by puffing your cheeks out, putting your finger to your lips and pegging it around spanking yourself in the tits. That makes you look less cool, and more like an autistic gibbon on heat.
 
Plechazunga said:
That's the greatest goal celebration of all time

feck back-flips, baby-rocking and pretend archery. He just stood there, in a way that meant, "feck me, I'm so amazing even I'm in awe"

Take note, Henry - that's how you do arrogant without looking a twat. Not by puffing your cheeks out, putting your finger to your lips and pegging it around spanking yourself in the tits. That makes you look less cool, and more like an autistic gibbon on heat.
Click to expand...

I love it the way he scores probably goal of the season and just stands there he was amazing in everyway
 
Diver said:
compose yourself. I'm a united fan through and through, but zola was a fecking good player. Leave the childish comments to the chelsea bunch.
Click to expand...

Zola wasnt fit to chew the clegnuts off Cantonas arse..
 
I can still remember exactly where I was and who I was with
( A Leeds supporter ) when I heard we had signed him
My thoughts at the time " A waste of a million quid
Thats why Fergie is Uniteds most successful manager ever
and I have nothing to do with managing football :lol: :lol:
Of all the players I have been lucky to see play live
Eric ranks along side George Best as the most memorable for me
 
Diver said:
compose yourself. I'm a united fan through and through, but zola was a fecking good player. Leave the childish comments to the chelsea bunch.
Click to expand...

Zola was a good player for Chelsea, but not in Erics class at all
 
Im inspired Im going to get my Double VHS tape out and watch Au Revoir Cantona for 3 hours instead of watching the Rent Boys and the Scousers
 
jasonrh said:
Am-Rik-hah.

Where we didn't even get the Premiership nationally until 2002.
Click to expand...

did you watch the 94 world cup at all? or any of the champions league matches before 2002 that were televised on espn? I watched the champions league final in 99 in PA, live on ESPN so united was on the telly before 2002 in the US, though not often. Though i'm sure if you played the game in your school days you would've heard about the likes of cantona, surely?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.