Soccer: Bring back Cantona - Reds fans
Eric Cantona's return to Manchester United when Sir Alex Ferguson leaves would be the perfect boost for the club, according to Reds fans.
Mark Longden, chairman of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Association, would love to see the United idol back at Old Trafford.
Cantona himself would reportedly like to return to United as a coach, and it is believed he has turned down a £4million-a-year offer to manager Greek club Olympiakos.
He has also just been voted the greatest Manchester United player in history in a poll for the club's official magazine
It would appear unlikely he is at the top of the United wish-list to take control, though, with the likes of Steve McClaren, Martin O'Neill and other big names in the running for the top job.
However, Longden feels that Cantona would be ideal working as assistant to someone like McClaren after Ferguson retires as manager next year.
"Eric is a folk hero, and it would be great if it happened," said Longden.
"Eric has only got one spiritual home, and that's Old Trafford - so if he did come back into football then it should be at Old Trafford.
"I'm not so sure I would like to see Eric come straight back as manager but I would love to see him come as coach and maybe work under someone like Steve McClaren.
"Looking at it realistically, who could take over from Sir Alex and fill the breach?
"Whoever it is has got to be a massive, massive character - and so something unrealistic could happen.
"Just to have the man walk back into the place would be a huge lift after Sir Alex goes, and we would need something like that.
"People talk about the Liverpool dynasty of the 1970s and 80s, and that's something we should be trying to set up.
"It's been proved that this is a lot better than just throwing money at it, and Eric would provide that continuity."
Not only was Cantona a hero in the stand, he was also hugely popular among the players.
Even Ferguson admitted he learnt from the Frenchman, and Longden feels he would be great on the training ground.
"He was a model professional and an example to all the other players," he said.
"The current crop of players - Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Nevilles - all chose Eric as their role model, and it would be great if he could also influence the next generation of lads coming through at the club."
