Eric Cantona

Date of birth24 May 1966
Place of birthParis
NationalityFrench
Weight89 kg
Height1.88 m
PositionForward

Cantona had developed a reputation as something of a flawed genius during his career in France, often brilliant on the pitch but with a suspect temperament both on and off the field. A member of the Montpellier team that won the 1990 French Cup, he moved across the Channel during the 1991-92 campaign signing for Leeds United in February 1992. He was an immediate success at Elland Road, providing a major contribution in the run-in to their title success that season. Revered by the club's fans, it was a major surprise when he was sold to United the following November, but manager Alex Ferguson certainly didn't complain. It was at Old Trafford that Cantona finally revealed his full potential and led to him being held in almost God-like status by the supporters. He was the catalyst who convinced his colleagues that they could win everything. His influence on the club's young players is still felt today, as training and practice patterns changed radically at his behest. The enfant terrible of French football found his spiritual home at Old Trafford, where all eyes were on the charismatic striker. The crowd gave him the title 'The King' previously only owned by Denis Law or 'Le Dieu' - Cantona responded brilliantly leading United to success after unprecedented success. He hit national headlines in January 1995 after he snapped under pressure in the match against Crystal Palace, leading to a notorious confrontation with a Palace follower. A lengthy ban followed and his career in the top flight looked over. However he was eventually rehabilitated, returning to his brilliant best to assist United to two more Premiership titles. A forward player with the deft skills to unlock any defence, he was full of tricks and capable not only of setting up his colleagues but scoring with some spectacular strikes himself. Cantona retired from the game in the summer of 1997 but has maintained strong links with his former boss while spending much of his time promoting the game of beach football.

Club history

Team Joined Left Loan / Trialist
Auxerre 01 Jul 1983 01 Jul 1988
FC Martigues L
Olympique Marseille 01 Jul 1988
Bordeaux 01 Jul 1989
Montpellier 01 Jul 1989 01 Jul 1990
Olympique Marseille 01 Jul 1990 01 Jul 1991
Nimes Olympique 01 Jul 1991 06 Feb 1992
Leeds United 06 Feb 1992 27 Nov 1992
Manchester United 27 Nov 1992 30 Jun 1997

Club stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1992-93 Leeds United FA Charity Shield 1
3
1992-93 Leeds United Premier League 12
1
6
3
1992-93 Manchester United FA Cup 1
1992-93 Manchester United Premier League 21
1
9
2
1993-94 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1
1993-94 Manchester United FA Cup 5
4
1993-94 Manchester United League Cup 5
1
1993-94 Manchester United Premier League 34
18
2
2
1993-94 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 4
2
1994-95 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1
1
1994-95 Manchester United FA Cup 1
1
1994-95 Manchester United Premier League 21
12
4
1
1994-95 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 2
1995-96 Manchester United FA Cup 7
5
1995-96 Manchester United League Cup 1
1995-96 Manchester United Premier League 30
14
1
1996-97 Europe Representative 1
1996-97 Manchester United FA Charity Shield 1
1
1
1996-97 Manchester United FA Cup 3
2
1996-97 Manchester United Premier League 36
11
5
1996-97 Manchester United UEFA Champions League 10
3
2001-02 World XI Maradona Farewell Match 1
1


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

Club matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
08 Aug 1992 Leeds United v Liverpool W 4-3 FA Charity Shield
15 Aug 1992 Leeds United v Wimbledon W 2-1 Premier League
19 Aug 1992 Aston Villa v Leeds United D 1-1 Premier League
22 Aug 1992 Middlesbrough v Leeds United L 4-1 Premier League
25 Aug 1992 Leeds United v Tottenham Hotspur W 5-0 Premier League
29 Aug 1992 Leeds United v Liverpool D 2-2 Premier League
01 Sep 1992 Oldham Athletic v Leeds United D 2-2 Premier League
06 Sep 1992 Manchester United v Leeds United L 2-0 Premier League
13 Sep 1992 Leeds United v Aston Villa D 1-1 Premier League
26 Sep 1992 Leeds United v Everton W 2-0 Premier League
03 Oct 1992 Ipswich Town v Leeds United L 4-2 Premier League
17 Oct 1992 Leeds United v Sheffield United W 3-1 Premier League
31 Oct 1992 Leeds United v Coventry City D 2-2 Premier League
07 Nov 1992 Manchester City v Leeds United L 4-0 Premier League


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International stats

Season Team Competition Apps Subs Goals Y R
1982-83 France Internazionale Cannes
1
1986-87 France B International 1
1986-87 France UEFA Under-21 2
3
1986-87 France Under-21 2
1
1987-88 France Berlin Anniversary 1
1
1987-88 France International Friendly 2
1987-88 France UEFA European Championship 2
1987-88 France UEFA Under-21 4
3
1989-90 France FIFA World Cup 3
1
1989-90 France International Friendly 5
7
1990-91 France International Friendly 1
1990-91 France UEFA European Championship 4
1
1991-92 France International Friendly 4
1991-92 France UEFA European Championship 5
2
1
1992-93 France FIFA World Cup 4
5
1993-94 France FIFA World Cup 4
1
1993-94 France International Friendly 2
1
1993-94 France Kirin Japan Cup 2
1
1994-95 France International Friendly 2
1994-95 France UEFA European Championship 4


Please note: Career stats are based on performances in the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.

International matches

Date Match Result Competition Round
04 Apr 1983 France v Italy W 1-1 (3-1) Internazionale Cannes Final
10 Sep 1986 France v Hungary W 4-1 U21
10 Oct 1986 France v USSR W 2-1 UEFA U21 Group 3
28 Apr 1987 Scotland v France D 1-1 B INTER
30 Apr 1987 Scotland v France D 1-1 U21
15 Jun 1987 Norway v France W 1-2 UEFA U21 Group 3
12 Aug 1987 Germany v France L 2-1 Berlin Anniversary
14 Oct 1987 France v Norway D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Group 3
18 Nov 1987 France v German Democratic Republic L 0-1 UEFA European Championship Group 3
27 Jan 1988 Israel v France D 1-1 International Friendly
16 Mar 1988 France v Italy W 2-1 UEFA U21 Quarter-final
23 Mar 1988 France v Spain W 2-1 International Friendly
13 Apr 1988 France v England W 4-2 UEFA Under-21 Semi-final
27 Apr 1988 England v France D 2-2 UEFA Under-21 Semi-final
24 May 1988 Greece v France D 0-0 UEFA U21 Final
16 Aug 1989 Sweden v France W 2-4 International Friendly
05 Sep 1989 Norway v France D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 5
11 Oct 1989 France v Scotland W 3-0 FIFA World Cup Group 5
18 Nov 1989 France v Cyprus W 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group 5
21 Jan 1990 Kuwait v France W 0-1 International Friendly
24 Jan 1990 France v East Germany W 3-0 International Friendly
28 Feb 1990 France v West Germany W 2-1 International Friendly
28 Mar 1990 Hungary v France W 1-3 International Friendly
15 Aug 1990 France v Poland D 0-0 International Friendly
05 Sep 1990 Iceland v France W 1-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
13 Oct 1990 France v Czechoslovakia W 2-1 UEFA European Championship Group 1
20 Feb 1991 France v Spain W 3-1 UEFA European Championship Group 1
30 Mar 1991 France v Albania W 5-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
12 Oct 1991 Spain v France W 1-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
20 Nov 1991 France v Iceland W 3-1 UEFA European Championship Group 1
19 Feb 1992 England v France L 2-0 International Friendly
25 Mar 1992 France v Belgium D 3-3 International Friendly
27 May 1992 Switzerland v France L 2-1 International Friendly
05 Jun 1992 France v Netherlands D 1-1 International Friendly
10 Jun 1992 Sweden v France D 1-1 UEFA European Championship Finals group 1
14 Jun 1992 France v England D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Finals group 1
17 Jun 1992 France v Denmark L 1-2 UEFA European Championship Finals group 1
14 Oct 1992 France v Austria W 2-0 FIFA World Cup Group 6
14 Nov 1992 France v Finland W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
17 Feb 1993 Israel v France W 0-4 FIFA World Cup Group 6
28 Apr 1993 France v Sweden W 2-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
28 Jul 1993 France v Russia W 3-1 International Friendly
22 Aug 1993 Sweden v France D 1-1 FIFA World Cup Group 6
08 Sep 1993 Finland v France W 0-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
13 Oct 1993 France v Israel L 2-3 FIFA World Cup Group 6
17 Nov 1993 France v Bulgaria L 1-2 FIFA World Cup Group 6
16 Feb 1994 Italy v France W 0-1 International Friendly
26 May 1994 Australia v France W 0-1 Kirin Japan Cup
29 May 1994 Japan v France W 1-4 KIRIN JAPAN CUP
17 Aug 1994 France v Czech Republic D 2-2 International Friendly
07 Sep 1994 Slovakia v France D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
08 Oct 1994 France v Romania D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
16 Nov 1994 Poland v France D 0-0 UEFA European Championship Group 1
13 Dec 1994 Azerbaijan v France W 0-2 UEFA European Championship Group 1
18 Jan 1995 Netherlands v France W 0-1 International Friendly


Please note: Match history is complete for the Premier and Football Leagues and (in most cases all) internationals.