Cosmos will not end Cantona acting career
Reuters - Thursday 03 March 2011, 14:08
SINGAPORE - Eric Cantona's new role as
director of football at the reformed New York Cosmos will not
prevent the former Manchester United striker from continuing his
blossoming acting career, the Frenchman said on Thursday.
Speaking in Singapore on a promotional tour, the often
controversial footballer, who has built a steady reputation as
an actor in French cinema, said it was important for him to
carry on his new career.
GEAR: Extensive New York Cosmos kits and fashion catalogue here through Kitbag
("When) I signed for Cosmos I agreed with them to spend
eight months in New York... I will be there for pre-season and I
have four months to spend in France and to keep acting because I
really enjoy it," Cantona told reporters at the Jelam Besar
Stadium on Thursday.
"It took time for me and experience to (learn to) enjoy it
and to make some people accept we can do something else in life,
so I keep doing it."
No matter how successful Cantona becomes in his new career
he will always be remembered for his colourful and highly
successful spell with Manchester United in the mid 1990s.
CHARACTERISTICALLY CONFIDENT
The Frenchman, voted United's Player of the Century after
retiring in 1997, said in his characteristically confident way
that he expected United to win a record 19th English league
title this season.
"I think United will win the league of course. They are a
great team, have a great manager and it's a big club. I think
they will win the league and they have a real chance to win the
Champions League," the bearded Frenchman said.
United lead the Premier League standings on 60 points from
28 matches with Arsenal, having played a game less, four points
behind.
United face French champions Olympique Marseille in the
second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie on March 15 at
Old Trafford with the scores level at 0-0.
Cantona's former club lost to holders Chelsea, 12 points
behind United in fourth, on Tuesday and face a tricky trip to
Anfield to play bitter rivals Liverpool on Sunday.
"All games are very important but this one is a special one
because it is two great clubs who have been successful in the
past 20 years," said Cantona, who scored a dramatic late winner
against Liverpool in the 1996 FA Cup final.
"It is a very special, it is like a derby and (Liverpool
manager Kenny) Dalglish when he came back seems to be doing very
well so I think it will be a great game."