MX23RW : Thursday, March 28 12:59:47| >> :60:540:540:

Eric Cantona backs Solskjaer to lead Man United to Premier League title

Eric Cantona backs Solskjaer to lead Man United to Premier League title
© Reuters
The Frenchman played alongside the Norwegian at Old Trafford.

Eric Cantona has backed former team-mate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to put what he learned from Sir Alex Ferguson to good use and lead Manchester United to another Premier League title.

The Frenchman, who won the league four times – including two doubles – during his four a half years at Old Trafford in the 1990s, is convinced that, like Pep Guardiola did under Johan Cruyff at Barcelona, Solskjaer gleaned what he needed from the Scot during his playing days and he can now mount a serious challenge to the Spaniard's Manchester City side.

Cantona told Sky Sports News: "It's important to win any kind of trophies, and United still have a chance to win the league – but a small chance.

"But in the near future, I hope next year they can win the league. Now they have found somebody like Ole, who was a player when Alex Ferguson was manager – like Guardiola was a player when Johan Cruyff was the manager of Barcelona.

"He learned a lot with Johan Cruyff and he became a great manager with the same kind of football identity, philosophy of football.

"Ole was a player when Alex Ferguson was there and he learned a lot. He was lucky to play with Alex Ferguson – like I was, but I decided to do something else, and other players too.

"Ole decided to become a manager, so I think it's great to have today a manager who knows the identity of this club and the philosophy and the DNA.

"He's got the DNA of this club and he learned a lot with Alex Ferguson, so I can't wait for United to win the league again – and it will be soon."

Second-placed United, who have not won the league since 2013, are currently 10 points behind leaders City with four games remaining and the more realistic trophy opportunity this season will come in the Europa League final against Villarreal on May 26.

However, off the pitch, the club – or at least their ownership – are facing a fresh battle for hearts and minds following the part they played in the European Super League debacle.

A scathing Cantona said: "We've heard for 20 years that some rich clubs wanted to build this league and it's unbelievable that, in 20 years, none of them could anticipate the reaction of the fans and didn't inform anybody.

Manchester United fans have staged a series of protests against club owners, the Glazer family
Manchester United fans have staged a series of protests against club owners, the Glazer family (Barrington Coombs/PA)

"What is unbelievable is that, in 20 years, all the guys went to school until the age of 30 or 35, so they are very smart, intelligent, and none of them could anticipate the reaction of the fans.

"Now they just have to say 'sorry' because now they realise that it was just a stupid idea and they had to respect the fans.

"It's good sometimes that something like this happens and you build something else and something stronger from that. I'm very optimistic. I hope they will use this moment maybe a lot to give more power to the fans."

He added: "That's the way Manchester United built this club. In the bad moments and tragedies and success, always try to unite the people and use any moment of history to build this club even stronger."

ID:446995:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6791:

Click here for more stories about Eric Cantona

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Paul Pogba in action with Liverpool's Georginio Wijnaldum in the Premier League on January 17, 2021
Read Next:
Premier League midweek predictions including Manchester United vs. Liverpool
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!