Icons: Eric Cantona

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We now take a look at one of Manchester United's greatest ever players

This article was originally posted on Greater Manchester Football.

Eric_Cantona_Nike

The news of Eric Cantona's impending transfer from Leeds to fierce rivals Manchester United was met with hostility from Leeds fans. 

However, the transfer was seen as a good piece of business by most football experts. The Yorkshire club had removed a troubled player from their side and got decent money for him even though he played a part in them winning the league during the previous season. 

Watch: Eric Cantona's 14 goals for Leeds United

Eric The King

Cantona made his first appearance for the club on 1 December 1992 in a friendly match against Benfica in Lisbon to mark Eusébio's 50th birthday, wearing the number 10 shirt. 

Eric made his competitive debut as a second-half substitute against Manchester City at Old Trafford on 6 December.

United only lost on two occasions in the 92/93 season after his arrival. They finished the season 10 points clear at the top of the table, finishing as champions for the first time in 26 years

The spark that lit the fuse

Following the conclusion of the 92/93 season, United would go onto dominate the Premier League for the next 20 years up until Alex Ferguson retired in 2013. Cantona was often seen as the catalyst for United's future success. There was some controversial moments though. Who remembers this?

Cantona eventually retired at the end of the 96/97 season. He won 4 Premier League titles and the Fa Cup twice. His name is still sung by fans of Manchester United. 

On the 12th day of Christmas... 

Inducted into Premier League Hall of Fame

In May 2021, Cantona was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame. He played a huge part in the Premier League's development during the 1990s so this was well deserved. 

Cantona in cinema

He focused his later career mostly as an actor, having had his first role as a rugby player in Le bonheur est dans le pré, shot during his 1995 suspension. In the late 1990s, he accepted a role as a French ambassador in the English film Elizabeth. 

In 2002, he directed a short film, Apporte-moi ton amour. He guest-starred as a mysterious barroom philosopher in independent British film Jack Says, released to DVD in September 2008. He co-starred as director Thierry Grimandi in French Film, and is co-producer and a lead actor in Ken Loach's Palme D'or nominated film Looking for Eric (2009). This film featured a number of Manchester United fans and iconic moments alongside some important social commentary.

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