When Eric 'The King' Cantona returned from exile

Eric Cantona’s return against Liverpool after his 8 month ban from football

Eric Cantona was banned from football for 8 months for karate-kicking a Crystal Palace supporter. There was a time in that 8 months out of football when Cantona seriously contemplated leaving United and the Premier League for France. He was fed up with the media frenzy and the FA after they didn’t allow him to participate in a set of practice games organised by United by terming them as ‘friendlies’. But Ferguson as always managed to convince the Frenchman to stay at Old Trafford and the rest as they say is history.

Sir Alex flew to France to meet Cantona after Eric informed him of his decision to move back to France. Ferguson stayed at the Georges V Hotel I where he was contacted by Cantona’s lawyer. Jean Jaques, the lawyer, took Ferguson on his Harley Davidson through the side streets to a restaurant where Eric was waiting. Ferguson brought his legendary man-management skills to play and convinced the king to come back to England.

So the 1st of October, 1995 was the day, Liverpool the opponents and Old Trafford the venue for the King’s return. Cantona’s return was so hyped up that Roy Evans, the Liverpool manager, appealed to the public not to forget that even his team was involved. But the man who the Old Trafford faithful called “dieu” had other ideas. The French tricolour was everywhere around Old Trafford, t-shirts welcoming him back were selling like hot cakes and face painters had a busy day as people lined up to get their face painted red, white and blue.

When Cantona came out for his warmup, the Liverpool players (who were already on the pitch) stopped their practice and watched the Frenchman step onto the Old Trafford pitch. It was clear that even Liverpool were distracted by the occasion, such was the Frenchman’s effect.

“He came out last and into a barrage of acclaim, the anthem “Ooh Aah Eric Cantona” ringing round the ground. It sent shivers down your back” - Nigel Clarke

Liverpool were star-struck themselves, as Cantona drifted out wide in the first minute to find acres of space. He then placed a beautiful pass into the path of Nicky Butt who put it past David James. One nil and Old Trafford erupted, and it looked like this was going to be one big French party. But Liverpool were in no mood to join the party as Fowler scored 2 wonderful goals to put the Merseysiders ahead.

But then with 20 minutes to go, Cantona burst through the Liverpool defence and slipped a pass to Giggs who was brought down in the penalty box. The crowd held its breath as the United players appealed for a penalty, the referee then pointed to the spot. Cantona, calm and composed, as ever slotted his penalty past James to equalize for United. It was a “I was there” moment for the thousands of fans at Old Trafford who were without their hero for 248 long days.

There is no doubt that Cantona’s return to football was the most eagerly awaited and certainly the biggest comeback of any United player. And he didn’t disappoint his fans, ensuring that his demi-God like status at Old Trafford remained as such.

From 22 January, 1996 until United won the Premier League, they won seven games 1-0, with Cantona scoring the goal in five of those games. United went onto complete the double with Cantona captaining and scoring against Liverpool in the FA Cup final.