Cantona worried about United

[Motterman]

Eric:

"With Glazer and the departure of Roy Keane I am worried. I have the feeling that the club could lose it's philosophy. That would be a pity, now we've entered the age of making players like sheep. You could express yourself at United and you were loved for who you were. United were the club that gave me my freedom. The death of George Best could coincide with the death of the soul of a unique club. United were capable of recruiting the Bests, the Keanes and the Bobby Charltons - the more balanced sorts - and of respecting each man's difference. You could express yourself at United and you were loved for who you were. United were certainly the club that gave me my freedom."

[Achtung]

Not really the first time we've heard this kind of thing. Personally I think we're closer to being a great team than most people seem to think. In the past few years, we've gotten two of the best teenage players in the world, as well as a top goalkeeper, so I disagree that we can't draw the best talent anymore. Not to mention the almost limitless heights our youth program seems to be capable of--maybe making the next Best or Charlton for all we know.

[Dark Savante]

I think i's a veiled message to leave Ronaldo alone to develop personally. Cantona was lambasted at a lot places and frowned upon before coming here and like he says, he was given freedom to do what he wanted here and ultimately develop into inspirational figure he became. At most places he was seen as a cancer and I bet some of his coaches were aghast that he was given the captaincy of this club and he proved a lot of people wrong.

I see a lot of suggestion in that that makes me think he's talking about Ronaldo. Who is seen now to be as maverick as Eric one was himself.

[Achtung]

I see a lot of suggestion in that that makes me think he's talking about Ronaldo. Who is seen now to be as maverick as Eric one was himself.

Hmm, I'd probably compare Rooney more to Cantona, and Ronaldo more to Best. That's just my gut feeling, based as much on the way they play as on the way they act on the pitch (and apparently off the pitch as well, in Ronaldo's case).

I do see your point though. I think both of them need to be allowed to develop while being coached properly at the same time. I don't think we're creating sheep. I think it can be difficult to manage multi-millionaires who are practically still kids while the world watches your every move.

[Dark Savante]

Hmm, I'd probably compare Rooney more to Cantona, and Ronaldo more to Best. That's just my gut feeling, based as much on the way they play as on the way they act on the pitch (and apparently off the pitch as well, in Ronaldo's case).

I do see your point though. I think both of them need to be allowed to develop while being coached properly at the same time. I don't think we're creating sheep. I think it can be difficult to manage multi-millionaires who are practically still kids while the world watches your every move.


I think in France Cantona was seen as more of an annoyance, much like how Ronaldo is percieved now.

The messaged conveyed about both Best and himself certainly suggests to me he's talking about letting creative players be free. The bit about sheep as well, lol, I think that refers to the general public wanting to remove all of Ronaldo's indviduality in favour of end product. Making him yet another sheep off the production line rather than the individual he could become. I can't remember who posted it, but some time last year some said something I found very poignant about Ronaldo and this very issue about fans wanting to almost labotomise him - take away most of what makes him different, etc. By becoming a sheep that'd be effectively the same thing.

Gotta love Eric, says so much in so few words and always open to interpretation! :)

I do wonder if it's a message to the fans or to the staff though..

[Vermont Red]

I also think that Eric is talking about players as sheep as in "here is all you are supposed to do on the field and nothing more". This type of player is making the game boring.

[littleman]

I dunno, when we use the word "sheep" mockingly here.. it means that when one sheep Baas, ALL sheeps just follow and Baas. It's used to mock a lack of personality; a culture of following the masses.

[prymetyme]

I can understand what he's saying and somewhat agree with it, but at the same time I dont think were that close to becoming a bad club. Does anyone know if Cantona would like to get into managing or any type of coaching?

[littleman]

I can understand what he's saying and somewhat agree with it, but at the same time I dont think were that close to becoming a bad club. Does anyone know if Cantona would like to get into managing or any type of coaching?

He's a player-coach for France's "beach soccer" team.. supposedly it's something like a five-on-five game on sand. Or something like that? They recently won the World Cup for it :D

[prymetyme]

He's a player-coach for France's "beach soccer" team.. supposedly it's something like a five-on-five game on sand. Or something like that? They recently won the World Cup for it :D

haha well thats not quite what I had in mind, and this may be way to out of the blue or optomistic but I'd love to see him on the sidelines at OT to rile up the troops