Of all the brilliant players fronn overseas that found their way into the English game in the 1990s Eric Cantona stands alone as the player who has had the most influence on the teams he played for Having just helped Marseille to win the French Championship, he joined Leeds halfway through the 1991 -92 season. Cantona’s success continued as the Yorkshire club went on to win their first championship since the heady days of the 1970s, in what was the final year of the League system before the introduction of the Premier League. Leeds fans were shocked when Howard Wilkinson sold the 26-year-old to rivals Manchester United in November 1992.
Four championships and two Doubles
With his incredible vision and majestic touch, and his trademark upturned collar Cantona performed complex skills with apparent ease. The OldTrafford faithful took him to their hearts and chanting ‘Oo-ah-Cantona’ in praise of their hero became a trademark of the fans. Cantona went on to win four championships with United, including the Double on two occasions. The second of those came in 1996, when he scored the goal that beat Liverpool in an exciting FA Cup Final. At the end of the 1995-96 season Cantona was named Footballer of the Year for his superb performances during that campaign.
Unfortunately, in the 1994-95 season, Cantona showed the other side to his character His kung fu-style kick at a fan after being sent off at Crystal Palace in January 1995 earned him an eight-month ban. It was not the first time Cantona had run into disciplinary problems. His career was punctuated with arguments with players and managers alike, including run-ins with national team coaches, without which he would certainly have won more than 44 caps for France.
To the dismay of United fans Cantona announced his retirement from football at the end of the 1996-97 season, when he was just 30 years old.
World History
