The talismanic Frenchman had just celebrated a fourth Premier League title in five years with the Reds, lifting the trophy as captain at Old Trafford after the final game of the season against West Ham United.
Aged 30 and just a year on from inspiring a young United side to a historic second Double, it appeared Eric was still close to his imperious peak, with many more magical moments to come in Manchester.
But, just days after the season’s conclusion, ‘The King’ announced that he was hanging up his boots.
That was news to all but Cantona’s closest confidantes, with our no.