Gary Neville has claimed that Eric Cantona was ‘bigger than football’ and hailed the role he played in Manchester United’s success in the 90s.
The Frenchman joined the Red Devils from rivals Leeds in 1992 and was the catalyst behind their Premier League title triumph that season.
Cantona was also an integral part of the United side that went on to dominate English football, winning four of the following five league titles.
Neville praised his former teammate’s impact on the fans, as well as his ability to always produce in the big moments as being pivotal during United’s glory days.
“He was bigger than football," Neville revealed on Sky Sports .
“Eric was like an icon, with fans he was almost like God.
“He always delivered when you wanted him to deliver in the big matches at the biggest moments, and that to me defined him at United.
“He delivered in the biggest matches that took United to league titles, season in, season out.
“He always delivered the pass, the shot, the cross or the goal, whatever it was that was needed to win at the biggest moments he delivered.
“That was the first time I realised that greatness was defined by delivering in the biggest moments and he had that.”
As well as the four titles Cantona won with the club, he also scooped two FA Cups, famously scoring the only goal of 1996 final against bitter rivals Liverpool.
In total he scored 70 goals and notched 55 assists in 176 appearances for United before retiring in 1997.
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