eric’s coming home!
MANCHESTER United legend Eric Cantona will make a stunning Old Trafford return to take part in Soccer Aid 2018 for Unicef.
Dubbed ‘The King’ by Reds fans, the five-time Premier League winner is set to retake his throne and team-up with Usain Bolt and the Soccer Aid World XI to take on Robbie Williams’ star-studded England side on Sunday, June 10.
Cantona – who played 143 times and scored 64 goals for the Reds between 1992 and 1997 – said: “There is no place like home. Knowing I am coming back to Old Trafford is a special feeling and I am looking forward to seeing the stands full of familiar faces.
“My message is this: Soccer Aid for Unicef is a game like no other because of the support you give it. I am coming back to make the match the best ever and I want you to join me. Let’s make history together at Old Trafford again one last time.”
A United icon, the enigmatic Frenchman is revered as one of the finest players ever to wear a red shirt, winning two FA Cups and five league titles. His skill, swagger and upturned collar cemented his place in Old Trafford folklore.
Cantona joins an impressive lineup of celebrities and former sportsmen already signed-up for Soccer Aid, including: Robbie Williams, Usain Bolt, Sir Mo Farah, Gordon Ramsay, Mark Wright, Yaya Tourè, Jaap Stam, Edwin van der Sar, Kevin Pietersen, David Seaman, Phil Neville, Jamie Redknapp, Danny Murphy, and Robbie Fowler.
The government will match every £1 donated by the public through its UK Aid Match scheme, doubling the difference for children in danger around the world. To date Soccer Aid for Unicef has raised more than £24m.
Next month’s game marks the start of a new annual campaign which will be broadcast on ITV just days before the World Cup in Russia and again in 2019 and 2020. Kick-off is scheduled for 8pm. Tickets, priced between £10 and £50, are available at: www.manutd. com/socceraid or by calling 0161 444 2018. Visit socceraid.org.uk for more details.