Ryan Giggs perfectly used Manchester United legend Eric Cantona in a way to shut down anyone ‘moaning’ about one thing at Salford City, according to Karl Robinson.
Eric Cantona was a larger-than-life figure during — and even after — his incredible spell at Old Trafford under former Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Sir Alex Ferguson signed the 58-year-old Frenchman for United in 1992 after landing him from the Red Devils’ rivals Leeds United for a £1m transfer fee.
During his time at Old Trafford, United legend Cantona lifted four Premier League titles and two FA Cups during a scintillating spell at the Red Devils.
Cantona stunned the world in 1997 after he announced his shock retirement from football at only the age of 30 and never returned to professional football.
Ryan Giggs rose through the United youth academy during the 1990s and witnessed first-hand the aura that the French former forward brought into the dressing room.
Giggs’ message about Man Utd legend Cantona
Ryan Giggs took up the role of director of football at Salford City in 2024 and he hasn’t returned to management since his spell with Wales ended in 2020.
The 51-year-old Welshman is a co-owner of the League Two side, which was taken over by key ‘Class of ’92’ stars and Singaporean billionaire Peter Lim in 2014.
Salford City have been training at The Cliff — Manchester United’s former training complex — due to the frozen pitches at Littleton Road.
Karl Robinson revealed that Giggs would shut down any criticism of The Cliff at Salford City by pointing to the fact that Eric Cantona used it.
Speaking to The Daily Telegraph, Salford City assistant manager Alex Bruce said: “It’s not the most modern or scientific of training grounds but you can smell the history of the place as soon as you walk in.”
Salford City boss Robinson added: “It’s funny because when we first came here he was on the phone to his dad and there’s an iconic picture of Steve, Eric [Cantona], Bryan [Robson], Paul [Scholes] running.
“For me, for anyone growing up loving football, you can’t argue that Manchester United were an incredible force. Even the staunchest of Liverpool fans would say we had the ‘70s and ‘80s and then the ‘90s and 2000s were Manchester United. And then more recently Manchester City.
“The other day someone was moaning saying ‘the pitch isn’t great’ and Ryan just said: ‘It was good enough for Eric Cantona.’ That shuts anyone right up.”
Robinson welcomes Giggs’ presence
Salford City will travel to the Etihad on Saturday for a third-round FA Cup showdown with defending Premier League champions Manchester City.
Robinson has admitted that he is happy Giggs is in the dugout with him and Alex Bruce and it speaks volumes about the United legend’s character.
“That is somebody dropping an ego for the benefit of success,” he said.
“It’s [a] testament to him as a person. We needed help and he loved it and stayed.”
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