The Manchester United Thread

Cantona: Leaving Man United was like quitting heroin
Published 11:22 01/08/11 By Laurie Hanna

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has said leaving the club was like quitting heroin.

The French star said he still finds it difficult going back to Old Trafford - because he found it so difficult to leave in the first place.

Cantona, 45, quit the club in May 1997 after five successful seasons, but admitted it was not an easy time in his life.

He said: “If you are a heroin addict, and you’ve gone through the agonies of withdrawal, you don’t go back and start hanging out with your dealer.


“I found leaving Manchester United very, very hard.

“It was, as I say, like quitting a class A drug. Psychiatrists have demonstrated that the body of a retired professional footballer can replicate the kind of symptoms that you get with abrupt opiate withdrawal.

“And that’s why I’ve avoided going back.”

But the forward - who scored 82 goals in 185 games for United - will return to Old Trafford this week, as manager of the New York Cosmos who will take on United for former team-mate Paul Scholes’ testimonial.

Cantona returns to Old Trafford on Friday

Cantona, now director of soccer for the American team, admitted he even struggled to watch United on television, adding that he was lucky to have other “consuming” interests.

He said: “You retire, but you’re still aching to play. But in order to play, you have to resist certain temptations, and train hard. And I just didn’t have the desire to do that any more.”

Meanwhile, French writer Bernard Morlino - a friend of Cantona - has revealed the pair celebrated Man United winning the Premier League in 1996 by reading poetry in a city centre bookshop.

He said the pair looked through the French literature section and Cantona chose a copy of ‘Rue Traversiere and Other Dream Tales’ by poet Yves Bonnefoy.
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CtPauley said:
Fletcher took part in a full training session for the first time since March and, while the Community Shield fixture with Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday will be too soon for the Scot to return to competitive action, he may be considered by Ferguson for United’s opening game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson relieved as Darren Fletcher returns to training - Telegraph
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Was fantastc for Utd 2 seasons ago but injury has dampened his performances and fitness. If Utd can get him back to where he was then it will be massive for them especially now Scholes has retired.
 
CtPauley said:
Fletcher took part in a full training session for the first time since March and, while the Community Shield fixture with Manchester City at Wembley on Sunday will be too soon for the Scot to return to competitive action, he may be considered by Ferguson for United’s opening game of the season against West Bromwich Albion.

Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson relieved as Darren Fletcher returns to training - Telegraph
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Like a new signing. How much we have missed him. Fully fit Fletcher will be an asset for us, can't wait to see him back to his full fitness and form. 2008-09 he was awesome..
 
JamesRobsonMEN James Robson

Typical scholes - admits part of him just wants to get thru testimonial, then says he hopes fans have come to see cantona #mufc
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#MUFC XI: De Gea, Rafa, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Scholes, Giggs, Young; Berbatov, Rooney.

Rafael was ruled our for charity shield game but is playing this one..

De Gea will be playing his Old Trafford debut.. What a game to do that..

---------- Post added at 11:22 PM ---------- Previous post was at 10:38 PM ----------

Cosmos XI: Friedel, Salgado, Reyering, Cannavaro, Bridge, Iraheta, ****, Murphy, Keane, Yorke, Dimitrov

---------- Post added at 11:23 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:22 PM ----------

Both Xavi and Andrés Iniesta wanted to play in Paul Scholes testimonial tonight, but pre-season commitments with Barça meant they couldn't.
 
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Despite being a very strong team, you'd still have to say Paul Scholes wouldn't look out of place. Gutted I can't watch it tonight, record is set up though :)

Model professional, never moaned, never complained.. best midfielder of his generation. Thanks for everything Paul.
 
Today would be the day my internet decides to be on the fritz, making a stream impossible. >.<
 
Great finish :)
Did that septic tank just call Young 'Ashley Cole'?
 
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Amazing scenes as the Old Trafford faithful pay their respect... on Twitpic

---------- Post added at 08:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:54 PM ----------

Paul Scholes refuses to take the penalty kick after Rooney offered the ball to him.

2-0 Rooney
 
not as important as scholesy but watching hull blackpool game and brady is avin a good game has blackpool left back on toast with some good skills and runnin. Does anyone have stream if one for testermonial?
 
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