Eric Cantona on Jose Mourinho at Manchester United: ‘It’s not the right man for the right woman’
- Manchester United legend says he ‘suffers’ watching Jose Mourinho’s side
- Frenchman thinks ex-teammate Ryan Giggs would be better fit for manager
Whenever Eric Cantona gives one of his colourful takes on Manchester United, it’s usually worth a listen. And the Frenchman did not disappoint when asked for his thoughts on Jose Mourinho.
United are 10th in the Premier League and put in a dull display in a 1-0 defeat by Juventus that leaves their hopes of qualifying to the knockout stages of the Champions League in peril.
Mourinho’s future has come into question after just two victories at home all season, and charismatic club legend Cantona clearly can’t take much more of the lifeless football under the Portuguese manager.
“It’s not the right man for the right woman,” the former striker said of Mourinho’s relationship with United at a fan event in Nottingham reported by The Republik of Mancunia.
Cantona is a fan favourite at Old Trafford having won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups under Alex Ferguson in his five seasons at United.
“It’s the way you play,” the 52-year-old said. “You can lose games but you take risks. You lose against Juventus and they have 70 per cent possession of the ball at Old Trafford. Could you imagine that with Ferguson on the bench?
“I suffer and I suffer even more when I see [Manchester City] play so wonderfully.
“I think kids needs to have an example. They need great players, great movements, creative football to identify themselves to a player or a team. And I think they are now losing a generation of young players.
“These young players identify themselves to the way City play. Can we accept that? No.”
Asked for his opinion on the club’s owners, the Glazer family, Cantona said “I don’t know if they know anything about football” and he suggested an ex-player should be installed as manager.
Failing that, he would like to see his compatriot and former Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane take over.
“We see Zidane, who was an ex-player of Real Madrid, never managed any team before and he became the manager of Real Madrid. They gave him a chance,” Cantona said.
“[Pep] Guardiola was the same for Barcelona. Antonio Conte at Juventus, [Carlo] Ancelotti at Milan.
“They were all ex-players at these clubs and they were given the chance and they won so many things for them.
“At United, they never give a chance to a player who knows the club from the inside, who knows the identity and philosophy of the club.
“I don’t want people to think I’m saying this because I want to be manager of Manchester United. It’s just the truth. [Ryan] Giggs? Any player who wants to be the manager they should give them the chance.”
