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Return of the King

What Eric said next: Old Trafford legend weighs in on City, Sneijder and Scholes

Cantona is back in town with his New York Cosmos team for Paul Scholes’ testimonial tomorrow night.

OLD TRAFFORD LEGEND Eric Cantona is in Manchester week as his newly-reformed New York Cosmos line out for Paul Scholes’ testimonial. And he’s had a bit to say.

The Frenchman yesterday told Manchester City fans that they will never emulate their more successful neighbours by solely relying on spending the new owners’ oil money.

‘United are the best team,’ said Cantona during a press conference with Cosmos, president Pele, ‘I don’t know how City work, maybe they work on the academy, but today they want to spend to build a team, to buy players.

‘They’ve been successful because they won the FA Cup, but if they only do that they will not be as strong as United who are bringing through young talent.’

Cantona’s Cosmos are yet to receive an MLS franchise officially and are merely fulfilling exhibition games. Tomorrow night a team featuring players like Robert Pires and Sol Campbell will line out for Scholes’ playing swansong.

And though the former United forward agrees that replacing Scholes will be tricky – Ferguson should move for Snijder.

“Sneijder is one of the best in the world,” he said. “He will be great for United. He is what United need. There’s no one like him right now. He’s strong and sometimes reminds me of myself.

“I knew Paul when he was young,” he added, “He is a great player. I am very proud of him.

“But you can replace any player, especially at a club like Manchester United, [when you have] a great manager like Ferguson. When a player leaves, you think the club won’t win any more. But they still do.

“They have a great history and they work a lot every day so any player can be replaced. Paul is still a great player. But I left, Cristiano Ronaldo left, Mark Hughes left, David Beckham left, and United are still one of the best clubs in the world.”

- additional quotes AP

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