How Eric collared his trademark look
In the second of our series of extracts ahead of the release of Wayne Barton’s new book ‘King Eric - Portrait Of The Artist Who Changed English Football’ about United legend Eric Cantona, we discover the secret behind the Frenchman’s trademark upturned co
NEXT up for Manchester United after their controversial European exit to Galatasaray was the small matter of the Manchester derby; although the occasion was at least one Ferguson knew his players would have to be up for. Following this first real moment of difficulty with Cantona, Maine Road would prove a test of character.
The derby on 7th November is significant for another reason; it was the first time Cantona played with his collar up, a trademark that would come to be associated with him as vividly as the number seven shirt.
Cantona was superstitious as many other footballers were, and on this occasion, it is said that after feeling a twinge of sciatica, he decided to wear the collar up, possibly to remind him of the importance of that famous posture. Clearly a placebo effect, but clearly effective, and so indelibly Eric Cantona. It became iconic partly because of its evocative imagery, easily associated with another cocksure, enigmatic legend in Elvis Presley.
Yet one wonders if, in his own superstitious way, this was Cantona’s way of calming that fire inside him after the trip to Turkey, a way to focus his thoughts on moving forward.
As Eric and his team-mates entered the pitch, the City fans attempted to generate hostility. Some home fans close to the tunnel had bought boxes of Turkish Delight and threw them at the United players. The atmosphere was white-hot while City boss Brian Horton sprung a formation change, playing with a sweeper and hoping to catch United on the counter-attack.
In the early stages it seemed as if United were fired up to exact revenge on those closest to them. In the 21st minute, though, the hosts found a way through, exploiting the mismatch in height between Paul Parker and Niall Quinn at the far post – 1-0. Ten minutes later it was two, as Steve McMahon whipped it in for Quinn, who got there ahead of Schmeichel.
United were rocking. Half-time was as welcome as the bell at the end of a round for a struggling boxer. So often, Alex Ferguson is credited with the turnaround of his team’s fortunes. While he certainly deserved credit for what was about to happen, the events of the next 45 minutes owed much to the brilliance of Cantona. His approach had always been one of bravery and it was that trait which appeared to prevail here.
The Frenchman dropped deeper, almost as an auxiliary midfield player, helping United flood that area. City were left with an extra defender but considering the purpose of that player was to prevent United’s star man getting on the ball, it left Horton’s team desperately trying to find an answer. At 2-0, they had an extra concern of how they should approach the game, with their primary mandate to protect the lead.
Cantona crossed from his new deep position but Gary Pallister was unable to get a clear connection. From the goal-kick, United skipper Steve Bruce thumped it back upfield; Michel Vonk chose what he felt was the safe option, heading the ball back to Tony Coton. Only now, Cantona had found a pocket of space behind the three defenders, around five yards in front of the nearest blue shirt. Eric, with time and space, made it 1-2. It provoked greater concentration from the home team. They would not switch off again, and so it would need something clever to get through for an equaliser.
Andrei Kanchelskis then broke through, but was thwarted as Coton smothered. Kanchelskis was taken off for Ryan Giggs and it was a magical combination between the Welshman and Cantona which finally brought the leveller 12 minutes from time. Cantona collected a clearance, took it down on his chest and juggled the ball with not only magnificent control, moving from right, to left, to right, back to left foot, but also a level of composure and arrogance that barely seemed to belong in the circumstances. He found Hughes, who found Keane, who found Giggs on the right. Giggs’ first-time ball lacerated the City defence and Eric was at the back post to put the most stunning end to a brilliant move.
United piled forward. There was barely a question of if they would score again; rather when. That moment arrived three minutes from time, when Keane stabbed in a dramatic winner. Eric later described the match: “It came only days after we had lost out to Galatasaray and the press had been quick to suggest our golden run might be over. But the spirit in the team is magnificent. We were to need it, because we go in at half-time 2-0 down. I play much deeper in the second half, and we begin to play much better.
“We are sweeping forward. We will not be stopped. I score two goals to draw us level. I run to the fans massed behind the goal to celebrate. They sense we will win and they are happy because it is worse to lose to City than anyone else. They are right… We had proved that we could recover from the disappointments of Europe.”
Alex Ferguson was again in awe of his striker’s contribution. “Eric’s performance showed the sheer intelligence of the man,” he said. “He knew exactly what was needed to cope with City’s sweeper system and came up with two goals as well.”
Even Horton was sporting in his assessment. “Cantona caused us all sorts of problems going deep – that shows what a good soccer brain he possesses,” the City boss lamented.
This was the tone in the press as well. The Manchester Evening News concluded: “The Reds pulled out something special, but I doubt they would have managed it without Cantona’s instinctive decision to drop deep to confuse City’s sweeper system.”
And the Star: “Forget Istanbul! Eric Cantona is back on his throne as the King of Football and Manchester United are back in business.”
The upturned collar would remain.
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.