Manchester United: Cheers as Old Trafford Icon Eric Cantona Plays It for Laughs

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has emerged as a comedy star in his new role in a telelvision advertisement for a brand of lager.

The former Leeds United midfielder is currently playing for laughs as he tells the "story" of how the hops farmers in the Alsace region of France are "idolised and adored...like the footballers of Britain."

But it is Cantona's look to the camera at the close of the advert that will leave viewers laughing.

Cantona retired from the game in 1997 at the age of just 30, after wining four Premier League titles in five years and two league and FA Cup doubles.

The former France international turned to acting as a career choice in 1998 and played the small part of a French ambassador in the English film Elizabeth where Cate Blanchett played the lead role.

Cantona was also a lead actor and co-producer in director Ken Loach's Looking For Eric in 2009, which was nominated for the prestigious Palme d'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival.

Cantona is no stranger to television advertisements, though, and appeared as the organiser of underground football matches played in the hold of a ship in 2002 and as an amateur footballer playing on Hackney Marshes alongside Ian Wright, David Seaman, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler in 2006 for a sportswear company.

The Frenchman was also the star of a darker advert for the same company when he and a number of world stars lined up against the devil and his team in a Roman amphitheatre.