King Cantona at 50

As Eric Cantona turns 50, we recall his best moments with Manchester United and pick out 50 reasons why he will always remain an iconic figure with supporters and team-mates alike.

Arrival… Upon joining from Leeds in November 1992, Cantona’s impact was instant. “He swaggered in,” said Sir Alex Ferguson, “stuck his chest out, raised his head and surveyed everything as though saying: ‘I’m Cantona. How big are you? Are you big enough for me?'”

Goal v Chelsea in Dec 1992… Picking up the knockdown from Lee Sharpe’s cross, he swivelled to finish and mark his Manchester United debut with a goal.

Aura… Cantona had an effect on team-mates as well as his manager. “He just had that aura and presence about him,” Paul Ince told Sky Sports. “He took the responsibility away from us players, it was like he said ‘I’m Eric, and I’m here to win the title for you.'”

Goal v Tottenham in Jan 1993… Expertly looped a header over Erik Thorstvedt from Denis Irwin’s left-wing cross to open the scoring for United in their 4-1 win.

Entertainer… Love him or loathe him, Cantona was box office and lit up the early years of the Premier League. “In my eyes, he was responsible for the Premier League developing as quickly as it did,” said Peter Schmeichel. “Everyone took to him, controversy or not.”

Goal v Manchester City in Mar 1993… A powerful header low into the net from a left-wing cross, this was his first derby goal and an equaliser that secured United an important point.

Charisma… Sometimes he didn’t even need to do anything. “Cantona led by his presence more than anything else,” said Roy Keane. “His charisma.” Gary Neville agreed, saying: “He’ll always have a place in the hearts of the fans because of his charisma and his daring.”

Goal v Southampton in Aug 1993… Collecting a pass on the left edge of the penalty box, he deftly chipped the goalkeeper to score United’s second in a 3-1 away win at The Dell.

Misunderstood… Despite the outward demeanour, that did not translate itself to cockiness off the pitch. “He wasn’t arrogant at all but polite and considered,” said Neville. “He always remained real. He drove a modest car, lived in a modest house in Salford.”

Goal v Arsenal in Sep 1993… One of his best, a rocket of an effort from an indirect free-kick to beat David Seaman and give United a 1-0 win over the Gunners at Old Trafford.

Focus… There was an intensity to his approach that was alien to some of his team-mates. “He spent a few days in a hotel just focusing on the games,” Andrei Kanchelskis told Sky Sports. “He was a little bit strange, but that is Eric Cantona.”

Goal v Queens Park Rangers in Oct 1993… A fine solo effort, nicking the ball away from one marker before running into space, cutting inside and firing low into the corner of the net.

Commitment… “He would come in at half past nine in the morning – an hour before us lot – do his own warm-up and practise his skills and his touches,” said Ince. “By the end of the season, there were about eight or nine players joining him at half past nine.”

Goal v Manchester City in Nov 1993… After a bit of ball juggling to start the move, he also finished it off neatly at the far post. It was part of a brace in a 3-2 win at Maine Road.

Desire… Cantona’s determination to put in the hard yards was obvious in training – he was anxious to get better despite his status as the team’s most talented player. “He trained as hard as lesser players and strived for improvement,” said Neville.

Goal v Sheffield United in Dec 1993… Not his most famous goal against the Blades, but this left-footed effort after running onto a Ryan Giggs pass from his own half was impressive enough.

Influence… “He had a massive influence on my career as a young player coming into the team,” Giggs told Sky Sports. “We struck up a good relationship and he ruled Old Trafford …

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