‘So cool’ – Class of 92 duo hail catalyst who had seminal impact at Manchester United

Class of 92 duo Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt have hailed the seminal impact Eric Cantona had at Manchester United during their early years in the first-team.

While Scholes spent his entire career at Old Trafford, Butt went on to play establish himself at other Premier League clubs and had a decent career – just nowhere near as successful as our ginger prince, who is regarded across the world as one of the best midfielders of all-time.

Scholes won 11 Premier League titles during his time at United, as well as two Champions Leagues, three FA Cups and two League Cups. I’d argue he could have won more given how close United got in most of the seasons they missed out.

The Class of 92 pair remain close mates from their time at the club – from involvement in Salford City to video reels and podcasts. They’ve recently reflected on when they crossed paths with Cantona in the United first-team.

The fans will forever adore Cantona as the catalyst who helped lead the way for great success at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson so much that the Frenchman will go down as one of the best-ever Premier League transfers.

Scholes and Butt reflect on Cantona’s influence at Manchester United

Speaking on Football’s Greatest podcast, Scholes said: “With Eric’s big comeback, obviously there was a big build-up.

“Coming into a game like that, the stage was just set perfectly for him and that’s what he loved, the theatre of it all.

“People called it arrogant but he wasn’t, he was unassuming and professional. He’s just so cool.

“He had a big influence on all of us, I think. Not so much by what he said but by his actions and the way he trained.

“He was probably the first player who would go in the gym before and after training. He had a big influence on us.”

Butt had his chance to reflect on playing alongside Cantona at United, adding that he was an inspiration in training and competitive matches: “He [Cantona] was the ultimate professional in training and he loved being the main man on the stage.

“You saw him in the changing room, collar’s up, chest out. I looked at him and thought, if he’s in the team, we will win. A bit like with Roy Keane a few years later.

“What he did in his first game back since the ban [in a 2-2 draw with Liverpool in 1995] was amazing.

“I remember going to a Player of the Year award or some function and I walked in with a suit and tie on. My tie was probably an inch loose because I drove in and didn’t want a tight tie.

“The gaffer [Ferguson] has gone, ‘Do your tie up… you look like a tramp!’ So I’ve done it and then Eric’s walked in with white jeans and Nike trainers on and a cap.

“The gaffer’s gone, ‘Look how cool he is, he’s some man him.’ I looked at him like, ‘What a p***k,’ you’ve told me to do my tie up by an inch!

“But that was Eric, wasn’t it? He was very different and the genius of the manager was he understood that. I didn’t back then.”

Could Cantona still have an impact on United? He has offered his services to INEOS in the past, although he was not impressed by the decision to drop Sir Alex Ferguson from his ambassadorial role.