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24/05/2016 12:30, Report by Gemma Thompson. Video: Stephen Bibby.
VIDEO: CANTONA'S MANCHESTER MEMORIES
As he celebrates his 50th birthday, Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has reflected on his memories of life with the Reds and the best period of his career.
In an exclusive interview with MUTV, the Frenchman looked back at one of his most famous moments for United when he volleyed home a late winner in the FA Cup final at Wembley to seal the Double Double 20 years ago.
Asked whether his winning strike against Liverpool was one of the best moments of his United career, he told MUTV: "Yes because we scored in the last minutes of the game. And it was Liverpool and the last game of the season. It was for the Double, so of course it was special."
Cantona feels the 1996 achievement was extra special due to the sprinkling of young players throughout the squad - the likes of David Beckham, Nicky Butt, Paul Scholes and the Neville brothers, Gary and Phil.
"The second Double was the best one. The first [in 1994] was special but the second one was with a new generation of players and players coming from the Academy. It was their first year, they didn’t have any experience and we won the Double altogether. It was a great season and a special generation of players.
"The second Double was the best one. The first [in 1994] was special but the second one was with a new generation of players and players coming from the Academy. It was their first year, they didn’t have any experience and we won the Double altogether. It was a great season and a special generation of players.
"Manchester United is one of the greatest and richest clubs in the world who can buy anybody but they work a lot on young players. They mix the players they can buy and the young players to make a great team. And like Barcelona, United can keep their players. Unfortunately clubs like Ajax sometimes they have a great generation of players but they cannot keep them - two years after [they are successful] the players go to Milan or Barcelona or United. At United they can keep young players, like Ryan Giggs. He spent over 20 years at the club as a player.
"The best time of my career as a footballer was in Manchester," Eric added. "Between 26 and 30 they are the best years for a player and I spent them here and I have been lucky to spend these years in Manchester with Ferguson, the greatest manager, and with great players, two generations of players.
"I have been very lucky. Since I retired feels like yesterday. I have tried to do something else and try to find a way to express myself in different ways and I’m happy."
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