CANTONA’S ATTACK

way you play. You can lose games, but you take risks.

“You lose against Juventus and they have 70 per cent possession of the ball at Old Trafford.

“Could you imagine that with Sir Alex Ferguson on the bench? I suffer.

“And I suffer even more when I see Manchester City play so wonderfully.

“But I think kids needs to have an example. They need great players, great movements, creative football to identify themselves to a player or a team.

“And I think they (United) are now losing a generation of young players. These young players identify themselves to the way City play. Can we accept that? No.’’ Cantona, 52, who was addressing fans at an event in Manchester, added: “Zinedine Zidane, who was an ex-player of Real Madrid, never managed any team before and he became the manager of Real Madrid. They gave him a chance.

“At United, they never give a chance to a player who knows the club from the inside, who knows the identity and philosophy of the club.

“I don’t want people to think I’m saying this because I want to be manager of Manchester United.

“It’s just the truth. Ryan Giggs? Any player who wants to be the manager – they should give them the chance.”

United face Everton tomorrow with Mourinho desperate to lift the mood at the club. But he admits he is “not confident” keeper David De Gea, who has won United’s player of the year award in four of the last five seasons, will sign a new contract.

His current deal runs until next summer with the option for the club to extend it by an extra year. But with Juventus now keen on him, Mourinho wants United’s power brokers to pin De Gea down to a new deal. He said: “I am not confident. Only the club, David and his people are able now to look at it.’’