Many Are Called. Few Succeed. Manchester United: Beyond the Promised Land

All Hail Eric 'The King' Cantona

We`ll drink a drink a drink

To Eric the King the King the King

He`s the leader of our football team

He`s the greatest

French Footballer

that the world has ever seen

Eric Cantona has been voted the greatest Premiership player of all time following a survey commissioned by the the league's sponsors, Barclays. The former Manchester United forward won 17% of the vote to top the first Premiership Global Fans Report which analysed the opinions of 26,000 fans.

Tune : Land of hope and glory

Oh at the turn of the year
Newcastle were twelve points clear
The Geordies, they were ordering their beer
Then the KING made us sing
With the goals he slotted in
And led us to another Double Win

Arsenal's Thierry Henry was voted the best current player, while Chelsea's Jose Mourinho was voted the best boss. (WTF?)

Old Trafford was rated the best ground in the Premiership.

What a friend we have in Jesus
He`s a saviour from afar
What a friend we have in Jesus
And his name is Cantona....

A surprise 1.2 million signing by United in Nov 92, Eric Cantona was not manager Alex Ferguson`s initial target when he bid to increase the Red`s goalscoring output. Having failed in his 3.5 million attempt to land Sheff Wed David Hirst, Ferguson was subsequently successful in his bid for the 26 year old Parisian. In many ways it was a moment of supreme serendipity as Ferguson could not have dreamed just how great and glorious a catylyst Cantona would prove for his developing team.

His first appearance for the Reds was against Benfica in Lisbon, in a friendly match to mark the 5oth birthday of Eusebio. Cantona`s class has never been in doubt, but apparently unpredictable and often outspoken artistic Gallic temperament was, to some degree, the reason
behind no less than eight different moves in the space of 10 years which had seen the French international adapt to many types of play, but not always the individuals in authority, most recently at Leeds, where he left amid recriminations om both sides.

He quickly settled on the big stage at Old Trafford, however, his subtle skills and flair for the unexpected option blossoming within the framework of a gifted side with many willing runners to feed from his delightfully weighted chips and flicks into open spaces. Certainly United supporters clasped him to their hearts as a cult hero and his contribution to successive Premier league titles has been an immensley significant one.

Not only has he created a fresh dimension in attack by his vision and self-confidence, but he also proved an inspiration to his talented team-mates who have responded with aplomb to his uplifting and unique brand of unforgettable soccer sorcery. Eighteen Premiership
goals and four in the FA Cup - which included two elegantly sidefooted pressure penalties in the final against Chelsea - was Erik`s "magnifique" contribution to the Red`s Double winning-season.

With his trademark turned-up collar, and shirt worn outside his shorts, the fiery Frenchman cut an impressive figure throughout 93-4 and fully warranted his PFA Player of the Year award.

Without doubt, Eric Cantona is a footballer of independent genius to be admired and enjoyed.

I leave you with 2 of Cantona's best quotes.

"Whatever happens, there are always things you could have done better. You score two goals and you usually feel you could have done better.You score two goals and you usually feel you could have scored a third. That's perfectionism. That's what makes you progress in life."

"When the seagulls... follow the trawler... it's because they think... sardines will be thrown... into the sea"
(At a press conference after the infamous Kung Fu Kick)