Eric Cantona was born on 24 May 1966. He is one of the most flamboyant players ever to play the game. He has an iconic status at man Utd and is nicknamed "King Eric" by fans.
He began his career at the small french side, Auxerre. He appeared 82 times and scored 23 goals. After Auxerre, he transferred to another French team, Marseille. He scored 13 goals in 40 appearances. Cantona was then advised to transfer to England, and he did that, signing for Leeds United in 1992. Although he only scored three goals, he was instrumental in their title success, primarily with assists for the leading goalscorer. His hat-trick in the Charity Shield places him among the small elite of players to have scored three or more goals in games at Wembley Stadium.
Cantona left Leeds for Manchester United for £1.2 million on 26 November 1992. The next four seasons with Manchester United would see him stamping his name on the history books to go down as one of the greatest legends to play for United. His debut was against Man City on the 12th December. United won 2-1 put Cantona failed to make an impact. The season up until Cantona's signing had not been going very well, and United were becoming out of the running for the league title. However, Cantona settled into the team quickly, and he found home on the turf where George Best ahd played 2 decades earlier. His first goal came in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In Cantona's first season at Old Trafford, United won the Premier League by 10 points – winning the title for the first time since 1967. In doing so, he became the first player to win back-to-back English top division titles with different clubs.
In his second season, Man Utd retained the premier league trophy once again. His two penalties in the FA cup final against Chelsea helped them to win. He won PFA player of the year for this season also. The 93/94 season was the first season of squad numbers in the premier league. He was issued the historic number 7 shirt, which he kept for the rest of his career with Man Utd.
The next season was indeed a very memorable one for Cantona, but not in a very good way. On the 25th January 1995, he was involved in an incident with a Crystal Palace fan. Cantona was sent off by the referee for a kick on Palace defender Richard Shaw after Shaw had pulled his shirt. As he was walking towards the tunnel, Cantona launched a 'kung-fu' style kick into the crowd, directed at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, followed by a series of punches. Cantona was arrested and convicted for assault, resulting in a two week prison sentence. This was overturned in the appeal court and instead he was sentenced to 120 hours of community service. He was banned until October 1995, which meant that he missed the end of the season, and Man Utd ironically lost the title. Cantona was frustrated with the terms of the agreement, and wanted to leave England, but Alex Ferguson persuaded him to stay.
His comeback game was against Liverpool on 1 October 1995. He set up a goal for Nicky Butt two minutes into the game, and then scored a penalty after Ryan Giggs was fouled. However, eight months without competitive football had taken its toll and Cantona struggled to get back to his original form. It was a very tight battle against Newcastle for the premier league title, but in the second half of the season, United overtook them and won the title. They reached the 1996 FA cup final against Liverpool. The regular captain, Steve Bruce was missing through injury, and Cantona was given the captain's band. He then scored the only goal of the game, and became the first non British player to lift the FA cup as captain. That season was the pinnacle of his time at Old Trafford.
He was confirmed captain for the next season, which saw Man Utd retain the title again. He had won 4 league titles in 5 years - a remarkable achievment. At the end of this season, age 30, he announced that he was retiring from football. He scored a total of 80 goals in all competitions for United, and his certainly put his stamps on the club's history books.
With his no 7 shirt collar stiffly upright, as if it had been starched, the theatrical swagger and poise, Cantona was born to play for Man Utd. It wasn't just his technical abilities that made him stand out from the rest, he led by example and never gave up. He orchestrated the talents of the young Giggs, Beckham and Keane. His legacy will stay with United forever.
He began his career at the small french side, Auxerre. He appeared 82 times and scored 23 goals. After Auxerre, he transferred to another French team, Marseille. He scored 13 goals in 40 appearances. Cantona was then advised to transfer to England, and he did that, signing for Leeds United in 1992. Although he only scored three goals, he was instrumental in their title success, primarily with assists for the leading goalscorer. His hat-trick in the Charity Shield places him among the small elite of players to have scored three or more goals in games at Wembley Stadium.
Cantona left Leeds for Manchester United for £1.2 million on 26 November 1992. The next four seasons with Manchester United would see him stamping his name on the history books to go down as one of the greatest legends to play for United. His debut was against Man City on the 12th December. United won 2-1 put Cantona failed to make an impact. The season up until Cantona's signing had not been going very well, and United were becoming out of the running for the league title. However, Cantona settled into the team quickly, and he found home on the turf where George Best ahd played 2 decades earlier. His first goal came in a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. In Cantona's first season at Old Trafford, United won the Premier League by 10 points – winning the title for the first time since 1967. In doing so, he became the first player to win back-to-back English top division titles with different clubs.
In his second season, Man Utd retained the premier league trophy once again. His two penalties in the FA cup final against Chelsea helped them to win. He won PFA player of the year for this season also. The 93/94 season was the first season of squad numbers in the premier league. He was issued the historic number 7 shirt, which he kept for the rest of his career with Man Utd.
The next season was indeed a very memorable one for Cantona, but not in a very good way. On the 25th January 1995, he was involved in an incident with a Crystal Palace fan. Cantona was sent off by the referee for a kick on Palace defender Richard Shaw after Shaw had pulled his shirt. As he was walking towards the tunnel, Cantona launched a 'kung-fu' style kick into the crowd, directed at Crystal Palace fan Matthew Simmons, followed by a series of punches. Cantona was arrested and convicted for assault, resulting in a two week prison sentence. This was overturned in the appeal court and instead he was sentenced to 120 hours of community service. He was banned until October 1995, which meant that he missed the end of the season, and Man Utd ironically lost the title. Cantona was frustrated with the terms of the agreement, and wanted to leave England, but Alex Ferguson persuaded him to stay.
His comeback game was against Liverpool on 1 October 1995. He set up a goal for Nicky Butt two minutes into the game, and then scored a penalty after Ryan Giggs was fouled. However, eight months without competitive football had taken its toll and Cantona struggled to get back to his original form. It was a very tight battle against Newcastle for the premier league title, but in the second half of the season, United overtook them and won the title. They reached the 1996 FA cup final against Liverpool. The regular captain, Steve Bruce was missing through injury, and Cantona was given the captain's band. He then scored the only goal of the game, and became the first non British player to lift the FA cup as captain. That season was the pinnacle of his time at Old Trafford.
He was confirmed captain for the next season, which saw Man Utd retain the title again. He had won 4 league titles in 5 years - a remarkable achievment. At the end of this season, age 30, he announced that he was retiring from football. He scored a total of 80 goals in all competitions for United, and his certainly put his stamps on the club's history books.
With his no 7 shirt collar stiffly upright, as if it had been starched, the theatrical swagger and poise, Cantona was born to play for Man Utd. It wasn't just his technical abilities that made him stand out from the rest, he led by example and never gave up. He orchestrated the talents of the young Giggs, Beckham and Keane. His legacy will stay with United forever.
Marseille
Marseille is the second largest city in France, after Paris. It is situated on the southeast coast of France, beside the Mediterranean sea. It enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate, with 6 summer months from from May to October. The mean summer temperature is 24 degrees celcius. Because of the beautiful weather and spectacular scenery, it has become a popular tourist destination in the summertime. It has a deep history, sun drenched beaches and is one of the most popular cities in France.
The Marseille tourist industry is one of the principal economic forces, actively contributing to the city's economy. It is France's leading seaport and a third of France's ocean borne foreign trade passes through the modern port. Petrol and agricultural products account for most of the tonnage handled. Oil refining, shipbuilding, food processing, and chemical manufacturing are the city's largest industries. Others produce electrical and electronics equipment, pottery, clothing, shoes, and tobacco products. Marseille is served by major railways and airlines and is linked with the Rhône River by a canal.
Although it dates back more than 200 years, it is a modern city, but still has links to the rich past. Tourists can visit the prison of Chateau d'If, which was made famous by Alexandre Dumas in the Count of Monte Cristo. From colourful markets that make you feel like you are in Africa, to the Calanques (a natural area of big cliffs falling into the sea), from the Panier area (the oldest place of the city) to the Vieux-Port (old harbor) and the Corniche (a road along the sea) Marseille has definitely a lot to offer.
There are many cathedrals, fortresses and historical building like the old city hall from the 17th century. The old port has many cafes and places to eat in. There are beautiful mountains and beaches, which make Marseille's tourism thrive.
Although it dates back more than 200 years, it is a modern city, but still has links to the rich past. Tourists can visit the prison of Chateau d'If, which was made famous by Alexandre Dumas in the Count of Monte Cristo. From colourful markets that make you feel like you are in Africa, to the Calanques (a natural area of big cliffs falling into the sea), from the Panier area (the oldest place of the city) to the Vieux-Port (old harbor) and the Corniche (a road along the sea) Marseille has definitely a lot to offer.
There are many cathedrals, fortresses and historical building like the old city hall from the 17th century. The old port has many cafes and places to eat in. There are beautiful mountains and beaches, which make Marseille's tourism thrive.
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