Eric Cantona believes ‘no one’ at Manchester United excites him as much as Lamine Yamal, but one does at least surprise him often.
It’s been the summer of Spain and Lamine Yamal in particular as the Barcelona starlet inspired his country to their Euro 2024 triumph.
Turning 17 on the day before the final victory over England, Yamal was astonishing during the tournament as he scored once and set up another four.
The teenager’s solitary strike was an incredible effort from distance in the win over France and earned him the Goal of the Tournament award to go alongside his Young Player of the Tournament one.
Yamal is no doubt going to light up La Liga, the Champions League and international tournaments for years to come and you can be sure Eric Cantona will be watching.
The Manchester United legend has exclaimed his adoration for such a spontaneous player, one who only Bruno Fernandes comes close to comparing with at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona heaps praise on Bruno Fernandes
Speaking in an interview with The Athletic, Cantona was effusive in his praise for Yamal: “I love the way Spain play, and it’s good to have this kind of player, because you never know what he will do.
“It surprises everybody every time. He has great vision, great technique, and he takes the right decision.
“I love it. Sometimes I watch a game just to watch a player.”
Then when asked who his favourite United player is in the current squad, the Frenchman replied: “They have some good, some great players, of course. But no one that I would say is like Yamal.
“I love the players who surprise me. Sometimes Bruno Fernandes surprises me. Which is good.”
READ MORE: Who is Eric Cantona? Age, Height, Acting, Singing, Family
Man United need better forwards
It’s hardly surprising that Cantona isn’t left in a state of utter wonder by any of United’s current forwards, given they finished their worst-ever Premier League season with a negative goal difference last term.
Erik ten Hag’s side only managed to score 57 goals in the league, the joint worst of the top 10 alongside Crystal Palace – a team who were relegation contenders for the first half of the campaign.
Too many forwards underperformed. Antony was horrendous, Marcus Rashford suffered another dire lull in form, Rasmus Hojlund struggled to find his feet other than one hot streak and Jadon Sancho was sent away.
Out of the side’s attackers, only £46.6m man Fernandes and youngster Alejandro Garnacho can hold their heads high knowing they contributed all they could to the cause.
All the rest really need to up their game in the next season if United are to climb back over the table and another addition, alongside the signing of Joshua Zirkzee, is required.
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