Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes insisted that one Red Devils legend deeply influenced “all of us” during his legendary spell at Old Trafford.
Paul Scholes spent his entire remarkable playing career at Old Trafford – across two different spells – and is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders of all time.
The 49-year-old Manchester United legend rose through the ranks of the club’s youth academy before establishing himself as a key first-team player.
Scholes was a linchpin midfield figure for former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who hailed the Red Devils legend as one of four world-class players he managed.
During his time at Old Trafford, the former United star lifted 11 Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups.
Scholes on Man Utd legend’s impact
Paul Scholes was one of the famed Class of ’92 members who found incredible success under Sir Alex Ferguson after his emergence in the 1990s.
The former England international’s elevation to the first team saw him cross paths with Eric Cantona, who had a seminal impact at Manchester United.
Eric Cantona was banned for nine months in 1995 after his infamous ‘kung-fu kick’ incident involving a Crystal Palace supporter.
The 58-year-old United legend made his long-awaited return in a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Old Trafford, with Cantona picking up an assist and scoring a penalty.
Speaking on Football’s Greatest podcast, Scholes told Nicky Butt: “With Eric’s big comeback, obviously there was a big build-up.
“Coming into a game like that, the stage was just set perfectly for him and that’s what he loved, the theatre of it all.
“People called it arrogant but he wasn’t, he was unassuming and professional. He’s just so cool.
“He had a big influence on all of us, I think. Not so much by what he said but by his actions and the way he trained.
“He was probably the first player who would go in the gym before and after training. He had a big influence on us.”
Ferguson’s reaction to Cantona’s ‘kung-fu kick’
Eric Cantona lifted four Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his illustrious playing spell at Old Trafford under Ferguson.
The larger-than-life Frenchman made 184 appearances for the Red Devils and he scored 81 times and registered 62 assists before his sudden retirement in 1997.
Ryan Giggs revealed that he felt Ferguson needed to protect Cantona after the former France international’s infamous kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace supporter.
“The reaction in the dressing room was this could be the first time we see Eric get a talking to,” he told beIN Sports in 2020.
“We were all waiting, we all couldn’t wait. It hadn’t happened in two, three, four years.
“But I think it was that us against them mentality which he used so many times. So, he knew everyone was going to be after Eric. He wanted to protect him and to show that he was home.
“It was the same when Becks [David Beckham] came back from the World Cup. Come back to United. You’ll show them, we’ll show them.
“It’s us against them mentality which again was that psychology part of his management that we was so good at.”
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