Cantona pays tribute to boss
Eric Cantona has paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson following his two decades at Old Trafford, describing him as "the perfect manager."
The Reds' legend, who spent four and a half years under Sir Alex at Old Trafford, says the United boss created the ideal environment in which to perform and gave the Frenchman the freedom to express himself on the pitch.
"He gave me everything I needed," Cantona exclusively told MUTV. "He helped myself and the other players express ourselves which means everything to a player. To be able to do that as a manager is a gift.
"He is the perfect manager for this club and he is also a great man. When I joined United the way he took my personality and gave me the freedom on the pitch was fantastic.
"I was 26 at the time - the years between 26 and 30 are the best years for a player - so for me it was about finding the right manager at the right club with the right players at the right time."
As well as being the perfect leader of players, in United, Cantona believes Sir Alex has truly found his spiritual home.
"The club is so important to him," declared Cantona, who stated in 2003 that he believed the Reds' boss will die on the United bench such is love for the game.
"How can you see Manchester United with another manager in today's game? Some fans who are in their twenties and younger have only ever known Sir Alex Ferguson [as the manager].
"United is Ferguson and Ferguson is United even if the club have other managers and Ferguson has other clubs. They cannot be divided," added the Frenchman.