FERGIE’S PARIS DASH

FEELING persecuted by the FA, Eric Cantona went back to France when he was not allowed to play even practice matches behind closed doors.

Fearing Cantona was slipping away from Manchester United while serving his nine-month ban, Sir Alex Ferguson went to Paris to persuade him not to quit.

“Eric had been sent into exile and forbidden from training or travelling on our pre-season tour, so it was natural for him to feel isolated and forgotten,” said the United manager.

News had filtered through that Cantona wanted to leave and at a pre-season friendly with Bradford the United supporters unveiled a flag that read, ‘1966 was a great year for English football – Eric was born’.

Their stance was clear. After the game, Ferguson left for Paris and in his autobiography he recalls a speedy dash through the city’s side streets on the back of a Harley-davidson driven by Eric’s lawyer, Jean-jacques Amorfini.

When they arrived at an empty restaurant, closed by the owner as a favour to Cantona, Ferguson and his star player enjoyed “a wonderful time”.

Ferguson had deduced Cantona needed reassurance and explained how the club would do everything possible to ease his troubles.

He would also have to move out of the hotel he was living in.

Ferguson recalled: “Eric agreed and the rest of the evening was spent reminiscing about great football matches of the past.

“Those hours spent in that largely deserted restaurant added up to one of the more worthwhile acts I have performed in this stupid job of mine.”

Cantona agreed to return. Ferguson had achieved a more remarkable coup than he had in originally signing Cantona in convincing him to stay.

He was now putting his faith in the temperament of the most volatile footballer in

Britain.

ADAPTED by Mike Walters. King Eric: Portrait of the Artist Who Changed English Football, published by Reach Sport, is on sale now from Amazon in ebook or hardback format.

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