Eric Cantona remains one of the Premier League's most impactful footballers. Cantona was the signing that proved to be the catalyst behind Manchester United's dominance of the division, helping break the club's long title wait before taking over the league.
Having helped Leeds United to the title in the final pre-Premier League campaign, achance conversation between the rivals saw Cantona move to Manchester, and the landscape of English football shift.
Cantona won four titles in five seasons at Manchester United, and possessed an unmissable, unmatched presence.
His trademark upturned collar, puffed-out chest, and ability to conjure moments of magic, remain etched into the minds of fans from that era.
Cantona came, saw, and conquered with signature swagger. An icon of thePremier League, here are some of the best tributes towards the French forward.
The best tributes to Eric Cantona
"If ever there was one player, anywhere in the world, that was made for Manchester United, it was Cantona. He swaggered in, stuck his chest out, raised his head and surveyed everything as though he were asking: ‘I’m Cantona. How big are you? Are you big enough for me?'”
- Sir Alex Ferguson
“In my eyes, he was responsible for the Premier League developing as quickly as it did. Everyone took to him, controversy or not. He oozed charisma and genius in equal measure, and is by far and away the best ever in the Premier League. It was an honour to have played with him.”
- Peter Schmeichel
“Collar up, back straight, chest stuck out, he glided into the arena as if he owned the f***ing place. Any arena, but nowhere more effectively than Old Trafford. This was his stage. He loved it, the crowd loved him.”
- Roy Keane
“When Cantona did come to United I knew that we’d win the title because he just had the aura and presence about him. He took the responsibility away from all of us lot. He was unbelievable."
- Paul Ince
“What hasn’t already been said about Eric Cantona? A sublime player, and the guy who opened the door for so many other Frenchmen in the English championship. A player with character – the King!”
- Emmanuel Petit
“Once he got to United, everything changed. It was as if he’d found the place he belonged and the stage he thought he deserved."
- David Beckham
“Eric Cantona (also) brought an extra dimension (to Manchester United). Plenty of things he tried didn’t come off, but you remember the ones that did — the flicks, the outrageous lobs. He made things look easy that weren’t easy at all. Before him, we struggled to score as a team, but as soon as he arrived the goals flowed."