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Cantona inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame

Phil Egan
Phil Egan

11:27 18 May 2021


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Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has become the latest player to be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame.

The French forward joins Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry in receiving the League's highest individual honour.

Nicknamed "The King", Cantona won four Premier League titles under Alex Ferguson at United after his move from Leeds in November 1992.

Cantona scored 70 goals in 156 Premier League appearances for United before his retirement in May 1997.

"I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised," Cantona said.

"I would've been surprised not to be elected!

"I have been lucky to play in this team, with wonderful players, a wonderful manager, and wonderful fans."

Cantona is one of six players from a 23-man shortlist who will be inducted into the Premier League Hall of Fame after receiving the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League Panel.

"We have nearly 30 players who could have been elected," Cantona added.

"Me, it's different. If you have to elect one, it's me. The other ones are all great... Me, I am exceptional!

"I played football, I loved football, I dreamed about football as a kid.

"Playing in England was a dream, it was a dream for everybody, playing for the Premier League.

"We won and we really enjoyed it, and it was the football I dreamed about because Manchester United, it's a club where they want to win things but in a good way.

"It was like this in the time of Matt Busby, it's the identity and philosophy of this club."

Cantona also produced one of football's most controversial moments in 1995 when he kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan during a match at Selhurst Park and was banned for nine months.


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Alex Ferguson Eric Cantona Manchester United Old Trafford Premier League Premier League Hall Of Fame

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