Premiership: Cantona keeps faith in the champions

Old Trafford legend Eric Cantona is backing Manchester United to come through their early-season troubles and mount another strong challenge for honours.

The 35-year-old Frenchman said: ‘‘Everyone’s getting excited because United have lost a few matches but that’s just because they’re sick of having to say they are the best.

‘‘United always go through bad patches like this. They’ve only played 17 matches and they are six points off the top. They are also still in the Champions League.

‘‘In the 1995-96 season, when all the young players were coming through, we were nine points behind the leaders having played a game more with just 10 matches left. We still finished as champions.

‘‘People talk about the end of an era but it’s too early to say that.’’

Cantona retired from football in 1997 but insists his passion for United’s theatre of dreams will always remain.

He added: ‘‘When I die, I have asked for my ashes to be scattered there.

‘‘My love for watching the game has gone but United are the club of my life.

‘‘And when I hear that the fans still sing my name it makes me very happy.’’