The look is unmistakable. Arms akimbo and with an air of superiority - some might say arrogance - about him, Eric Cantona confidently strides up to respected coach Gavin Rhodes and suggests he should 'step in' while a coaching clinic is in full swing.
'Can I try?' asks Cantona eager to get things started. Rhodes turned around as if to say 'are you kidding?' and mockingly bows to the former Manchester United star - the kind of deep, respectful bow normally reserved for royalty.
The stern, bearded face of Cantona finally cracks into a smile. Dressed in dark grey flannels, an acrylic short-sleeved shirt and wearing matching grey plimsolls, Cantona takes his place on court at Hong Kong Football Club in front of gawking teenagers in awe at the sight of one of the greatest footballers to wear a Manchester United jersey.
That's King Eric,' whispers one overawed teenager, who is probably too young to remember the exploits of the mercurial French forward. 'Everybody knows him. He's a legend.'
So it was that Cantona conducts a coaching clinic in front of 14 Hong Kong youngsters - 13 boys and one girl - as he dribbled, passed and showed how it should be done the Cantona way. Looking trim and relaxed in his first trip to Hong Kong, the 38-year-old's every move is watched and recorded by all in the Sports Hall. With the sound of cameras clicking and flash-bulbs lighting up the dimly lit arena, the Frenchmen doesn't seem to be at all bothered by the attention. Why should he? He is, after all, promoting the opening of the Manchester United Soccer Schools in Hong Kong.
'I will always be a Manchester United fan ... for life,' Cantona says before showing off his skills. 'They are one of the biggest clubs in the world and I had my best years there. I love Manchester United and everything good about it. This soccer school [in Hong Kong] reminds me of the academy we have at Old Trafford. We have produced a new generation of players. Maybe we can produce excellent players from this school.'
Earlier in our interview, before he takes to the arena, there is one youngster who is not under the Frenchman's spell.