King Eric proved to be exactly what United needed at that time. On his first return to his former club, Leeds United Eric spat at a Leeds United fan and was fined £1,000 by the FA which compared to previous punishments was almost not a big deal.
Eric played a big role in securing Manchester United first top flight title after 25 years.
The 1993/1994 was the year that United introduced squad numbers to his players. King Eric was issued Number 7. That season also saw United retaining their Premier League title, added FA Cup and Cantona won PFA Player of the year. He was also the first foreigner to win the award.
The following season was the season of the Kung Fu Cantona. After being sent off, he launched a kung fu kick towards a Crystal Palace fan who according to the King had insulted him.
This resulted to a number of punishments. Cantona was sentenced to two weeks prison time which was turned to 120hrs of community service after an appeal. FA banned him for eight months plus £30,000 fine. Club fined him two weeks wages and kissed his French captaincy goodbye. No, that was not all, FIFA extended his eight months ban to worldwide!
King Eric best football moment as explained by himself;
“My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan.”
After his ban, Cantona played a big part in United's 3rd Premie League title in four seasons. He also captained United in an FA Cup final against Liverpool, scored the only goal of the match and became, yet again, the first foreigner to lift the FA Cup as a Captain!
Number 7 is Number 7 today because of King Eric. Bryan Robson wore it before but it was Cantona who gave the number the attention and legend it has today. No Red Devils forgets how important he was to the team. Of all his 5years at Old Trafford the club failed to win the Premier League only once, and that was the season he was suspended.
Cantona was also a captain for the whole of 1996/1997 where United retained the Premier League title. At the end of that season, 30 years old King Eric officially and for the last time retired.
After retirement he Captained and coached French national beach football team and he is also acting and directing movies.
Years after retirement, King Eric is still winning awards. From Manchester United, Premier League, UEFA and even FIFA. Controversy or no controversy, King Eric is a player we will never forget.
Eight years after his retirement, Old Trafford was still singing the King's name and his response was;
"I'm so proud the fans still sing my name, but I fear tomorrow they will stop. I fear it because I love it. And everything you love, you fear you will loose."King Eric has nothing to worry about. Fourteen years after his retirement he is featured in title celebrations by DJ Evra and the very cute Lenny.
Sixteen years after his retirement we are still praising the King. Unfortunately, he was not available to respond to this post.
1966 WAS A GREAT YEAR IN ENGLISH FOOTBALL, KING ERIC WAS BORN!
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