"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think that sardines will be thrown into the sea"

Bobby Charlton note:

"We're just very grateful he's here. He's such a great player. I''m still pinching myself. A player like that only comes along once or twice in a lifetime, and you don't leave him out or put him in the reserves. You respect his skill. Eric is the brainiest player I've ever seen, he sees such a lot when he has the ball. The big thing he has given UNITED is the ability to make attacks count, not waste good positions until the right option appears, and we now finish almost every move with an effort on goal.  The other thing is his ability to release players, even when the pass doesn't look on. If you make the run Eric will probably get you the ball." 

For manager Alex Ferguson, Cantona was one of the best players he had worked with.

``Eric has had a huge impact on the development of our young players,'' he said.  ``He has been a model professional in the way he conducted himself and he has been a joy to manage.''

Martin Edwards views on Eric Cantona.

``It's no coincidence that shortly after Eric's arrival we won the league for the first time in 26 years and have subsequently completed two Doubles - it was a magical time,'' he said.