THE FRENCHMAN

From the MEN:

Eric Cantona turned out for Manchester United at the weekend . . . to promote their new partnership with Disneyland Resort Paris.

The Old Trafford legend, with long hair and bushy black beard, officially opened United's new soccer school and then held court with another Reds hero Bobby Charlton in front of Europe's press.

Q: United had an indifferent season, where do you think things have gone wrong?

Eric: I will speak in French for this question. Translator: Manchester United is a proud team that has been on a winning streak for a long number of years. To me, they are still very much the best team, and to beat Arsenal in the FA Cup semi-final was a timely win. It will give them a big boost for next season.

Q: Did you see the game?

Eric: No.

Q: Eric, what do you think of Louis Saha, is this the perfect stage for him?

Eric: I never saw him play. Because I don't follow football anymore. Sometimes I watch it on TV but I don't follow the game.

Q: Have you lost interest?

Eric: No, but I like to do what I do and maybe I love the sport too much and when I see a match on TV I will want to play. So I prefer not to. It is like when you are with a woman you love and she don't love you anymore. It is better not to see her.

Q: Are you still playing beach soccer?

Eric: Yes.

Q: Do you think you should have played longer on grass.

Eric: No because I love the game but to play the best football you can, you need to train every day, to be careful what you eat and what time you go to bed. You have to deal with the press - everything - so I lost a bit of patience. If I could play without training and all this kind of thing I would love it.

Q: I don't think Alex would like your long hair and beard?

Eric: I play with my feet and my head.

Sir Bobby: I'm sure Alex would like him back.

Q: Have you invited Eric over for the Cup final?

Sir Bobby: Eric does not need an invitation. He can come over whenever he likes and he knows that.

Q: Will you be going Eric?

Eric: Maybe.

Sir Bobby: When Eric says he does not like to see football too much, whenever Manchester United is within 100 miles he comes to see us. And that's because we love him and he knows he's always welcome. He will come to Cardiff I'm sure. He is loved by the people of Manchester. He got us great success and a lot of good young players benefited from Eric.

Q: Have you a message for the fans back in Manchester?

Eric: Everytime we do an interview I always get asked the same thing. Yes, we had great times together and there will be more to come.

Q. Will the opening of a Man United soccer school at Disneyland Paris allow the French kids to discover the English love of the game?

Eric: There are lots of things to learn from the game but sometimes we are a bit too sectarian on our viewpoints of the game. Sometimes you have to go abroad to open up your mind. For French children it is good to learn from places like Auxerre or Lyon, but they can also learn from Manchester United. That applies to other things in life such as music. Football is an international language. If a French youngster player ties the bootlaces of an elder professional player.

If he was asked to do that he would probably throw them in the face of that player. There is more to the game than just playing football, you also have to learn respect.

Q: What do you think about Zidane?

Eric: (Silence)

Sir Bobby: Did you get the question Eric? I am always frightened when Eric goes quiet.

Eric: I love football because of this kind of player in modern football it is difficult for him to keep up those standards. He has to be very creative and score goals. He is the boss of the team. It is because of this type of player that young players love football. So I encourage all young players and all educators to help this kind of creator.

Q: Eric do you keep in touch with Sir Alex?

Eric: I don't like the phone very much. It is the same for everybody. I think it is in the psychology. I like when I speak to somebody to look at him in his eyes. Because you never know with people. Everybody smiles. You never know if you call someone if he is happy to speak with you, but when you are in front of someone you can tell if he's happy or not.