Eric Cantona has insisted that his silence on one of his most famous Manchester United moments could be seen as an act of “revenge” against those who “destroyed” him.
The Manchester United legend is widely regarded as one of the best players in the club’s history, with Eric Cantona leaving behind a long-lasting legacy at Old Trafford.
Cantona, who was signed from Leeds United in 1992, was a larger-than-life figure at the Red Devils and shot to stardom during his legendary career at Old Trafford.
The 57-year-old Frenchman lifted four Premier League titles and two FA Cups, with Cantona becoming club captain under United legend Sir Alex Ferguson.
Roy Keane and Gary Neville have spoken about the impact of Cantona, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explained what the United dressing room was like with him in it.
During his glittering spell at United in the 1990s, Cantona scored an impressive 81 times and registered 62 assists in 183 appearances for the Red Devils.
Legendary former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson was a huge admirer of Cantona, even naming him among the four world-class players he managed.
Despite his success in football, Cantona stunned the world when he made his abrupt exit from Old Trafford after retiring in 1997 at only the age of 30.
Cantona breaks silence on famous Man Utd incident
One of the legendary players to don United’s iconic No 7 shirt, Eric Cantona’s time at Old Trafford was not without its controversial and infamous moments.
The Manchester United legend’s ‘kung-fu kick’ incident in 1995 saw Cantona come under scathing criticism after he lashed out at a Crystal Palace supporter.
Cantona was handed down a £20,000 fine and banned from football for eight months, which included him losing the France captaincy and his place in the team.
The eccentric former France international famously delivered a bizarre speech involving seagulls after his prison sentence was overturned.
Speaking at a press conference in 1995, Cantona said: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it’s because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much.”
Cantona has now broken his silence over his famous eyebrow-raising comments and explained how he didn’t want to speak to the press at the time.
Speaking on the French chat show C dans l’air, he said (via The Guardian): “After the [court] judgment, they [Man United] absolutely wanted me to speak to the press. I didn’t want to but they said it’s important you have to speak to the press.
“So, I said, OK, I will speak to the press, in the sense that they want me to speak – I’ll say any old thing.
“They wanted me to speak, I spoke. It just came out and then I left. And the press, they all tried to find a sense to it and make it all philosophical.
“You know, it just came out like that; maybe it came from my subconscious and maybe unconsciously it created a sense, but the best sense of it was, you make me speak, I speak and who cares whether the words make sense.”
Man Utd legend Cantona on getting his ‘revenge’
Cantona served out his ban on the sideline before he made his return for United in the 1995-96 season, with the Red Devils going on to win the Premier League title.
Ferguson supported the ex-United star during the ban and ensured that Cantona did not move away from Old Trafford amid interest from Inter Milan at the time.
Cantona admitted that he had no love lost for the British press, who ruthlessly came down on the Frenchman after he aimed his kick at the Palace fan.
But the ex-United forward believes that he had the laugh and had his “revenge” after the press spent so much time trying to decipher his ‘seagulls speech.’
“You know, they [the press] destroyed me,” Cantona added.
“But in a way, I have had my revenge. They were all trying to find a meaning and they all asked me to explain and I said nothing.”
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