Eric Cantona’s top five Manchester United goals

On the 20th anniversary of the day he signed for Manchester United, we take a look back at Eric Cantona’s five best goals for the Red Devils.

5. Premier League v Arsenal, 1993

Most of Cantona’s great goals were all about his touch and technique, but this one was just sheer power.

Teed up to the Frenchman from 25 yards out, David Seaman had no chance as Cantona let fly with a belter into the top corner (skip ahead to 0:23 to see it in the clip below) Pick that one out.

4. Premier League v Sheffield United, 1995

With time and space on the edge of the box, most normal strikers would have drove on closer to the goal to try and increase their odds of beating the ‘keeper, but why do that when you can just execute an inch-perfect chip over his head and plant it into the corner?

3. FA Cup Final v Liverpool, 1996

Cantona’s late winner against Liverpool at Wembley was certainly one of his most important goals in a red jersey and it was only after repeated viewings that everybody realised what a good goal it was.

When the ball fell to Cantona at the edge of the box it was at a very awkward height, but Cantona arced his body and showed perfect technique to get his foot over the ball and send it through a sea of bodies and beyond David James into the net.

2. FA Cup v Wimbledon, 1994

One of the things the United players who played with Cantona always talk about is his dedication to practise. From the moment of his arrival at the club, he used to remain on after training to work on his technique and inspired a number of his contemporaries and the famous generation of kids coming up through the ranks at the time to do the same.

This effort against Wimbledon in United’s double winning 93/94 season showed that all the hard work paid off as Cantona’s brilliant first touch teed him up perfectly for the smashing volley to follow.

1. Premier League v Sunderland, 1996

If any one goal could sum up Cantona as a player and as an Old Trafford cult figure, then this would surely be it.

The quick feet to help set-up the opportunity, the awareness of those around him to play the one-two, the burst of pace over five yards and the coup de grace, the exquisite lobbed finish when he probably could have hit it low into the bottom corner.

Even better was the celebration, where with a glance all around him and a delayed raising of his arms in triumph he was inviting the adoring Old Trafford faithful to bask in his brilliance. Class.