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Eric Cantona has revealed that ‘ghosts from Manchester United’s past’ inspired him to act for the Red Devils after moving to Old Trafford in 1992.
The former France midfielder spoke to Andrew Marsh on the latest episode of BT Sport’s ‘What I Wore’ and discussed a collection of iconic shirts that have defined the United legend’s life and career.
On the programme, Cantona chose the 1992 United home shirt as his favorite that he wore during his career and spoke proudly about his time at the club, referencing the ‘energy’ he was given by former players and the importance of wearing number seven during his stay.
Eric Cantona has revealed how he was inspired by former Manchester United players after joining the club.
The former midfielder spoke on BT Sport’s ‘What I Wore’ and discussed his career.
He joined Sir Alex Ferguson’s United in 1992 and scored 89 goals in 193 appearances.
“I don’t know how it happened but I came to Manchester United after Leeds,” he began.
‘I felt the step and I felt the ghosts of Manchester United’s past. Sometimes that can cripple players, but for me it was helpful. I felt the energy of ghosts and the past and it made me even stronger.
‘When I came to Manchester, Bryan Robson was number seven. So I played a different number, but then went to seven because he was too old! I love this number.
‘The number on my back is important to how I feel. If I don’t feel good I can’t play well, so when I first wore this jersey it was like I had it forever.
Cantona spoke of the importance of wearing the number seven during his time in Manchester
He picked up Bryan Robson’s number and helped make the shirt iconic at the club.
Cantona was also asked to explain his feelings on United’s iconic 1993-95 black away shirt, which he wore when he kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan, for which he received a nine-month ban.
The now 56-year-old joked about the attack, suggesting that he “had all [his] red cards’ to United using it, before discussing the fan incident in more depth.
‘I love this jersey,’ he said. ‘I think when I got all my red cards I had this shirt on! Maybe I had three red cards. I’m lovin ‘it.
‘People can say anything and for years you don’t react and one day you react. We are only human beings, sometimes we are strong, sometimes not. I did it.’
The 56-year-old spoke about Manchester United’s famous black away strip from 1993-95.
Cantona’s kung-fu famer kicked a Crystal Palace fan at the game and received a nine-month ban for his actions.
He affirmed that those of that footballer “are only human beings” and “sometimes not” strong at moments like the kick
He returned from suspension to play rivals Liverpool and received a hero’s reception from United fans at Old Trafford before the match.
“It was a great moment,” Cantona said on his return. “I could have come back against another team, but going back to Old Trafford against Liverpool is very special. It’s always against Liverpool.
Earlier on the show, the former midfielder discussed coming to England with Sheffield Wednesday, before moving on for Leeds.
He was a French international when he crossed the channel, but had to undergo a trial in Sheffield despite his impressive pedigree as a player.
While Cantona admitted that it is different now for foreign players arriving in the Premier League, he smiled as he explained the story of the move, describing the process of his arrival in England on Wednesday before moving to Leeds.
I didn’t know it was a trial! Cantona said about his time on Wednesday. “I thought I was there to sign and after a week they said I had to spend another week in court.
“It says a lot about the difference with the French players because I played for the French team at the time and I was at Sheffield Wednesday and they said I was on trial.” Now things change, there are maybe 60 players from France, you could have two or three teams of players playing in England now. But I was one of the good French players on test at Sheffield Wednesday!
He spoke about his move to England from France and how he had to endure a trial at Sheffield Wednesday despite being a full international.
When shown the Leeds 1992-93 home shirt, in which Cantona scored the first Premier League hat-trick, he said: “In my day it was different with foreign players. I could walk down the street or go to the bar and no one knew me. But after a few weeks I became a bit popular because we were a great team and we won the league.
On the France 1986-90 home shirt, he added: ‘I wore a French shirt for the first time when I was 15 years old. we were. A great generation of players, European under-21 champions, beating England, Paul Gascoigne’s generation, then I played for the France team.
‘I played 45 times for France and scored 20 goals, which is not bad! Especially since I retired early. I played my last game just before I was banned for nine months.
Cantona retired at the age of 30, leaving behind an iconic legacy in English football
He admitted he “never thought about the pre-game celebrations” when talking about his iconic reaction to scoring against Sunderland.
Finally, Cantona spoke of the end of his Manchester United career, referencing his famous celebration against Sunderland in 1996, in which he kicked goalkeeper Lionel Pérez before turning to the crowd and embracing the celebrations while remaining motionless. .
He left United in 1997 and retired at the age of 30, ending his Red Devils career with 89 goals in 193 appearances for the club.
“This has been my last season,” he said after seeing the shirt.
‘I never thought about celebrations before the game. I have never celebrated a goal in the same way because it is always social and a unique moment. Now you see the players practicing but for me I can’t react, it depends on the goal and the meaning of the goal, it depends on the pressure, the energy, everything. I never thought about it. It was a spontaneous reaction, it was good!
Cantona spoke ahead of the Manchester derby on Saturday afternoon. Watch Man Utd v Man City exclusively live on BT Sport 1 this Saturday from 11:30am. BT Sport Monthly Pass is the flexible, contract-free way to watch, for more information visit bt.com/sport.