From an article in Observer Sport Monthly
'I don't exactly steer clear of football these days, but I only watch a match on TV if I stumble upon it,' he says almost apologetically. 'But when I think football, I think Manchester United. I go over to see a game at Old Trafford from time to time. Talk of their decline just makes me laugh. Manchester United are still Manchester United. A truly exceptional club. They may be the richest in the world and of course they can and do buy star players from time to time, but the emphasis is still on training kids. In today's world, where we manufacture stars in five minutes on reality TV shows, that commitment takes on more meaning for me. Educating youngsters, putting in the time, remains the priority at United, and even today Alex Ferguson knows the names of all the trainees. That's what makes me believe there is a belle philosophie at the club.'
What of the rumours suggesting Cantona is preparing to return to the club in some sort of coaching capacity? He wouldn't rule it out, but it's not going to happen tomorrow. 'I know lots of people at the club - Alex, Carlos [Queiroz, the assistant manager] and some of the players, of course. They don't need any help. I think they have the people they need right now.'
'I'm happy when I see people who are happy to see me.'
'But just as many people dislike me, I'm sure. The thing is, those who like me are the ones who bought tickets and they wanted to show their affection, perhaps. The important thing is to be yourself. It's important not to seek to please people for the sake of it, to play to the crowd. People know if you are trying too hard to please, or faking it.'
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