Manchester United great Eric Cantona has discussed his infamous departure from Leeds United, his Dutch influence and Sir Alex Ferguson's management in a detailed Q&A after being inducted in the Premier League's Hall of Fame.
Cantona was inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame earlier this month.
The French forward was one of six initial former players in receiving the League's highest individual honour.
Nicknamed "The King", Cantona was a talismanic figure at Manchester United after his surprise move from Leeds United in November 1992, guiding the Red Devils to four titles in the first five seasons of the Premier League.
Cantona's career started with a bang, following up his 1991/92 First Division title success with the Premier League's first hat-trick for Leeds against Tottenham Hotspur, before Ferguson brought him to Old Trafford.
He inspired United with many moments of magic that showcased his skill and flair, none more so than his sublime chip against Sunderland in December 1996.
The forward then shocked the football world with his retirement in May 1997 at the age of 30.
Congratulations on being inducted in the Hall of Fame. How does it feel to be joining this club?
"I'm very happy and proud. It was a long time ago. I nearly don't remember the time when I was playing, you know. We won with Leeds at the Championship [old first division] and then the first season of the Premier League and then we won it with Manchester, so it was a long time ago, but it was the beginning of a great experience."
You follow Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, who are the inaugural inductees into the Hall of Fame. How does it feel to be following in their footsteps?
"It is very important to have an honour like this. I play football, I love football, I dreamt about football when I was a kid. Of course, to play in England was a dream. It's a dream of everybody, and playing in the Premier League, so I have to say thanks to all the people who voted for me ? the older generation and your generation, everybody. Which is very important because as I tell you it was a long time ago, and sometimes people forget!"
Do you think you would have put yourself in the Hall of Fame?
"As I told you, I feel very happy and very proud ? and at the same time, I'm not surprised! I would have been surprised not to be elected. You know, I'm not surprised."
You joined Manchester United in the first season of the Premier League. Ending their 26-year wait for the title. What do you think you provided that the team were missing?
"The year before when I won it with Leeds, Manchester United was very close. After so long a time to achieve this, [there was] more pressure this season. The hardest one to win is the first one. After it we had less pressure. The first one was a special one ? special for the players and special for the manager and the fans, and everybody who loves the club."
You won four titles in five seasons. What do you think was key to your continued success?
"I think I've been lucky to win with two generation of players. There was the old generation, but United worked a lot on young players and Alex Ferguson worked a lot on young players. He knows everybody, a lot of young players and the quality of what to improve before [they arrive] to play for the first team. When he felt they were ready to play for the first team, he started to sell players, like Paul Ince or Mark Hughes ? just to have the opportunity to give them a place to play for the first team."
Looking back on your career at Manchester United. Everyone talks about your goal against Sunderland. The chip at Old Trafford, as much for the celebration as the goal itself. What are your memories of that moment?
"It was a great, great memory. Of course, it was nice ? the chip was great, the goal was a great goal, and the atmosphere was great. I never thought about the celebration before, I just reacted instinctively."
Was there a favourite moment from your Premier League career and why?
"The first trophy to be honest. After 26 years, Manchester United finally won the league and it was the first year for the Premier League also. I've been lucky to play in this team with wonderful players and a wonderful manager, wonderful fans. It was the football I dreamed about. When I was young, I grew up with Holland, and Ajax Amsterdam with the generation of Johan Cruyff. It was total football. It was a football so inspiring. I've been lucky to play in this Manchester United team, because we played wonderful football and we won trophies. We worked hard, very hard. Don't forget we had to work hard and then we became confident. With this confidence we could enjoy and play wonderful football."
Your move to Old Trafford from Leeds United was a surprise. What are your memories of the move?
"As I told you before, I dream more about passing football, more creative football, and I found that in Manchester. Because Manchester United, it's a club where they want to win things, but in a good way. It was like this in the time of Matt Busby. It's the identity of this club, the philosophy of this club - and it's still like that. Even the few years you don't win trophies, they try to play wonderful football."
An iconic Premier League image is you with your collar up ? was there any reason you did that?
"No, I didn't decide it! I think for one game I just put my shirt like this, and my collar stayed up, and we won. Most footballers are very superstitious, so because we won, I kept it, and we kept winning and after it became something special. We have players who keep their underwear and don't wash it. I prefer to put my collar up!"
Which current players in the Premier League could you see being Hall of Fame member one day?
"It's difficult, very difficult. Like sometimes people ask me the best player I played with, or the best player I played against. I don't like to name one player because why one player more than another. In a team, for me I told you, the team is important. The way team play. You have 11 players on the pitch. Its teamwork ?so I don't like to pick one name because it's not fair for the other ones. In football, its complimentary. You need a compliment of players."
To be eligible for the Premier League Hall of Fame this year, players had to have been retired as of 1 August 2020, and only a player's Premier League career was considered in his candidacy.
Each inductee will receive a personalised medallion, engraved with the year of their induction.
