King Eric stopped talking about seagulls and returned to the Theatre of Dreams 19 years ago today…
Before Suarez bit Ivanovic, Di Canio pushed Alcock or Joey Barton started being Joey Barton, the Premier League was enthralled by another unbelievably gifted yet controversial genius.
Eric Cantona is still regraded as one of the most influential players to have ever laced up his boots and graced the Old Trafford turf.
His impact on the club was seismic, Alex Ferguson has repeatedly said that he was the catalyst that helped spur on the immense talents of the class of ’92.
Cantona was the creative fulcrum in the United team that ended the club’s 26-year wait for the title in the 92-93 season and he would ultimately become became a talismanic figure at Old Trafford, winning the league three more times, as well as the FA Cup twice.
The Man United number 7 was majestic on the ball and he epitomised grace, vision and technique as seen in this brilliant goal vs Wimbledon.
Clip via – crak316
However, despite his undoubted quality the demons were never far surfacing.
The Frenchman was frequently violent, tempestuous and his ugly tendency to get sent-off was far too common, even at a young age. What do they say about there being a thin line between genius and madness?
Clip via – Classic Football Store
On Jan 25th 1995, Man Utd travelled to Crystal Palace needing a win to move ahead of Blackburn Rovers at the top of the Premier League.
Kenny Dalglish’s men had two games in hand on their nearest rivals but the match proved to be a memorable one for all the wrong reasons.
Cantona was originally sent-off after kicking Palace defender Richard Shaw but as he left the Selhurt Park pitch he launched a ‘kung-fu’ style kick into the crowd, aimed at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, who allegedly had run down 11 rows of stairs just to confront and racially abuse the player.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwZuXuH-NwA
The fall-out was seismic as the Red Devils were urged from all angles to sack the Frenchman with immediate effect.
His bizarre apology only added fuel to the fire, we can still remember the whole quote,”When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much”. Huh?
The Frenchman was banned for nine months by the FA, fined £20,000 and ordered to do 120 hours community service. In his absence, United surrendered the Premier League title to an Alan Shearer inspired Blackburn Rovers.
Ferguson’s men started the next season in flying form and looked driven on reclaiming their title.
Even before Cantona’s comeback match against Liverpool, United had made an impressive start to the 95-96 campaign, sitting on top of the table having picked up 16 points from their first seven games.
The stage was set, Super Sunday. Man Utd v Liverpool. King Eric returns to the Theatre of Dreams.
Take a look.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8v08SP0Lnc
Things would only get better for Cantona and Man Utd as the Frenchman scored the winning goal in the FA Cup Final against Liverpool, ensuring United became the first team to win “the double” twice.
