10 Greatest Manchester United players of All Time

2. Eric Cantona

At the club: 1992-1997

Appearances: 185

Goals: 87

Honours: 4 x Premier League; 2 x FA Cup

“If ever there was one player, anywhere in the world, that was made for Manchester United, it was Cantona. He swaggered in, stuck his chest out, raised his head and surveyed everything as though he were asking: ‘I’m Cantona. How big are you? Are you big enough for me?" - Sir Alex Ferguson

Were it not for an unfortunate leg break to Dion Dublin that ruled him out of the inaugural season of the Premiership, were it not for a punt that Alex Ferguson took in calling his Leeds counterpart (as his version of the story goes), were it not for Howard Wilkinson taking a dislike to the outspoken, egoistic, Frenchman - Manchester United may never have signed Eric Cantona - and if they hadn't they may never have been the side they are today

“In my eyes, he was responsible for the Premier League developing as quickly as it did. Everyone took to him, controversy or not. He oozed charisma and genius in equal measure and is by far and away the best ever in the Premier League" - Peter Schmeichel isn't far off when he pinpoints Cantona as the catalyst that pushed the Premier League into being the pre-eminent league on the planet, and United the mammoth juggernaut they are today.

His attitude, skill and pure professionalism took United to the next level and played a vital role in breaking a 26-year-old trophy doubt - the only year the Premier League trophy did not find its way to OldTrafford was the one in which he was banned for 8 months for trying to kick the Xenophobia out of a Crystal Palace fan.

King Eric was quite something else.