Eric Cantona » Cristiano Ronaldo

Hansen: Ronaldo bigger than Cantona

Linus — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:01 +0000

Liverpool legend Alan Hansen claims Manchester United were inevitably going to miss Cristiano Ronaldo because he believes the Portuguese winger is the Premier League’s greatest ever player. Hansen suggests the current World and European player of the year was even better than Eric Cantona and Arsenal legend Thierry Henry.

Hansen told the BBC: “I tipped Liverpool to win the Premier League before the start of the season.”

“This was not a prediction based on old Anfield loyalties – it was based on the evidence of what I had seen from Liverpool in the last three months of last season.”

“Liverpool had enjoyed good results against the other top four sides while Manchester United were inevitably weakened by the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo.”

“People talk about Eric Cantona and Thierry Henry, but Ronaldo was the biggest player ever in the Premier League, so United were never going to replace what he gave them.”

Beckham believes United will march on

Linus — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 06:03:02 +0000

David Beckham, in an interview with News of the World, indicated that despite the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, United will continue marching on.

He explained: “United will always march on. Many great players have left United in the past, like Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Ruud van Nistelrooy and, probably the best comparison in this case, Eric Cantona.

“When Eric left it was a shock and it was a great loss and I have to admit for a time it was difficult. It will be the same now that Cristiano has gone. He is such a great talent and you can’t underestimate what he did for the club over the last two years. He’s been exceptional.”

Eric calls Cristiano “stupid”

Linus — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 07:57:33 +0000

Eric Cantona reckons Cristiano Ronaldo would be “bloody stupid” to quit Manchester United and join Real Madrid.

The Old Trafford legend says the winger’s style is perfectly suited to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.

Cantona, who spent six glorious seasons with United before retiring in 1997, said: “He is still young, and so maybe he wants to take on fresh challenges. I can understand if this is the reason why he wants to leave for Real.

“But if he were to leave because of something else, he would be doing something absolutely bloody stupid.”

The Frenchman, 42, also declared his aim to become United’s manager one day.

He said: “It would be a huge honour for me to become Manchester United’s coach – it would be marvellous.”

Cantona unsure on why Ronaldo wants to leave

Linus — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:17:16 +0000

Eric Cantona cannot understand why Cristiano Ronaldo would want to leave Old Trafford, insisting that the Red Devils are the “perfect” club for the Portuguese winger.

With speculation intense about the future of Cristiano Ronaldo, Cantona has weighed in with his opinion, the Frenchman, now an actor, questioning what the player could find at Real Madrid that United can’t offer.

In an interview with Sport magazine, Cantona said: “I do not know his personality. I do not know why he would want to do this [go to Madrid].

“It can be good reasons. If he says that he needs a new challenge, then maybe, yes, he is young. But if he goes not for that reason – for other reasons – then I think he is wrong.”

Cantona added: “He is the best player in the world – an artist. He is the best player in the world at one of the best clubs in the world.

“The way United play is perfect for him and the way he plays is perfect for United. It is a perfect situation.”

Asked in the interviewe whether he himself had ever considered putting in a transfer request to United when he was at Old Trafford, Cantona answered: “Me? Never. I could never play for another club.

“But I am a different personality. I was 30 years old when I decided to retire.”