20 Iconic Moments in Eric Cantona's Manchester United Career
Eric Cantona was only a Manchester United player for a relatively short time. But it was long enough to earn his place in the club's history.
In five years, he won four Premier League titles and two league and club doubles—despite serving an eight-month ban for his infamous kung-fu kick against a Crystal Palace fan at Selhurst Park.
On the 22nd anniversary of his arrival at Old Trafford, here's a rundown of 20 iconic moments from his United career.
Feel free to use the comments section below to add your own.
Leaving Leeds
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The story goes that Leeds chairman Bill Fotherby rang his United counterpart Martin Edwards in November 1992 to ask about the availability of Denis Irwin.
But by the end of the conversation, Leeds had agreed to sell Cantona for a bargain £1.2 million. Alex Ferguson was desperate to add more goals to his team after Dion Dublin was ruled out with a broken leg. And he found them with Cantona.
United Debut
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Cantona made his United debut against Manchester City in December 1992, coming on as a second-half substitute.
United won 2-1 thanks to goals from Paul Ince and Mark Hughes. Despite a disappointing start to the season, five months later, United were champions for the first time in more than two decades.
1st United Goal
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Sir Alex Ferguson signed Cantona from Leeds United in 1992 to solve United's goalscoring problem.
Cantona got his first in the 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in December 1992, the first of 82 he would score in a United shirt.
1993 Premier League Title
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After arriving from Leeds in 1992, Cantona turned out to be the final piece in the puzzle for United.
In May 1993, they lifted their first league championship for 26 years. It was the first of four titles won by Cantona during his five years at Old Trafford.
Thunderbolt Against Arsenal
5 of 20Cantona decided plenty of tight games during his United career. Arsenal at home in September 1993 was one of them.
Paul Ince rolled a short free-kick into his path, and he rifled the ball past David Seaman. And all while wearing a plaster cast on his arm.
Derby Day Turnaround
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United were 2-0 down to Manchester City at Maine Road in November 1993. Then Cantona stepped in.
He scored twice to draw United level before Roy Keane scored a late winner. It was a positive end to a week that had seen United knocked out of the Champions League by Galatasaray.
1994 FA Cup Final
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Having won the 1994 Premier League title, Cantona scored two penalties against Chelsea at Wembley in the FA Cup final.
Mark Hughes and Brian McClair were also on the scoresheet as United won 4-0 to secure the club's first league and cup double.
Demolition Derby
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Cantona played his part in one of United's biggest wins over Manchester City in November 1994.
He got himself on the scoresheet along with Mark Hughes and Andrei Kanchelskis, who scored a hat-trick, as United won 5-0 at Old Trafford.
Bramall Lane, 1995
9 of 20A typically cheeky and skilful Cantona goal. Playing Sheffield United in the third round of the FA Cup, United broke quickly as Sheffield United pushed for an equaliser to cancel out Mark Hughes' opening goal.
The ball arrived at Cantona's feet on the edge of the box and he nonchalantly chipped the goalkeeper to send United through to the next round.
Kung-Fu Kick at Crystal Palace
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Even after all the trophies he won at Old Trafford, the sight of Cantona leaping into the crowd at Crystal Palace is one of the most famous moments of his United career.
After being sent off following a tussle with Richard Shaw, Cantona reacted to provocation from the crowd and tried to kick a Palace fan. It earned him an eight-month ban from football.
'When the Seagulls Follow the Trawler...'
11 of 20In the aftermath of his kung-fu kick, Cantona attended a press conference with gathered journalists.
But if they were hoping for a full explanation for his actions, they were disappointed.
All Cantona said was: "When the seagulls follow the trawler, it is because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much." Then he made his exit.
His Comeback
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After serving his ban, Cantona made his return to football against Liverpool at Old Trafford in October 1995.
He scored a second-half penalty to earn United a 2-2 draw and celebrated by swinging on the goalposts.
St James' Park, 1996
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Back to his best following his ban, Cantona's back-post volley earned United a 1-0 win over Newcastle at St James' Park in March 1996.
It helped United overhaul Newcastle's 12-point lead at the top to win the Premier League title and send Kevin Keegan into meltdown.
Volley Against Arsenal
14 of 20It only took two devastating touches from Cantona for United to beat Arsenal at Old Trafford in March 1996.
One to chest the ball into his path and another to flash a volley past David Seaman off the underside of the crossbar. It was enough to earn United a 1-0 win as they won back their title from Blackburn.
1996 Premier League Title
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United were pipped to the 1995 title by Blackburn as Cantona missed the second half of the season while he served his lengthy ban for his action at Selhurst Park.
With Cantona back on the field for most of the 1995/96 season, United chased down Newcastle to lift the trophy.
1996 FA Cup Final
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With Cantona suspended for the second half of the 1994/95 season, United finished second in the league and lost the FA Cup final to Everton.
But with Cantona back the following year, they won the title, the Frenchman scoring a late winner against Liverpool in the FA Cup final to win another double.
United Captaincy
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When Steve Bruce left for Birmingham in the summer of 1996, Alex Ferguson picked Cantona to be United's new club captain. He lifted the Premier League title the following May in what turned out to be his final season at the club.
Chip Against Sunderland
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One of Cantona's great United goals. After exchanging passes with Brian McClair in midfield, he looked up and casually chipped his finish over Sunderland's Lionel Perez. His celebration, soaking up the adulation of Old Trafford, summed it up.
Final Farewell
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Cantona's last competitive game for United turned out to be the 2-0 win over West Ham at Old Trafford in May 1997, the player announcing his decision to retire a few days later. He went out with a win and a fourth Premier League title in five years.
Shock Decision to Retire
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Cantona was only 30 and still had a year left on his United contract when on May 18, 1997, he announced his decision to retire from football.
He wanted to go out on top and ended his career as a Premier League champion, never playing competitively again.
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