Eric Cantona has claimed Manchester United would have kept on winning titles if they’d appointed him as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor four years ago.

The Frenchman said: “Only I could have made them succeed (after Fergie’s 2013 retirement). Nobody else. Only me.”

King Eric is still adored by United fans who remember him leading them to their first Premier League title in 1993, ending their 26-year wait.

Cantona walked away from ­football when he retired in 1997 to ­become an actor, but asked if he would ever consider a return to the game, Cantona, now 51, said: “No. Only to manage Manchester United.

Manchester United have not won the league since Fergie's final season, 2012-2013 (
Image:
PA)
Ferguson's successor Moyes lasted less than a year in charge at Old Trafford... (
Image:
Action Images)
...and though he did win the FA Cup, Van Gaal was gone too after his second year (
Image:
Action Images via Reuters)

“They won’t ask me. Maybe that’s why they didn’t win the Premier League."

United were champions when Ferguson retired in 2013. They appointed David Moyes and Louis van Gaal, who were both sacked, before Jose Mourinho was put in charge last year.

Mourinho won two trophies in his debut season to raise hopes of a crack at the title (
Image:
Getty)
"Only I could have made them succeed. Nobody else. Only me" claims fan favourite Cantona (
Image:
AFP)

Despite his career in films, Cantona is still in touch with football – and he has hammered Brazilian superstar Neymar for his £196million move from Barcelona into the football backwater of the French league at PSG.

Cantona said: “He will be playing against Lorient and Guingamp. How is it possible to be a great player and go there?

“How old is he? 25? From Brazil to Barcelona to the French Championship. It disappoints me so much.”

In a recent interview, outspoken Cantona also dismissed Mourinho, claiming he’d rather have Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola in charge at United with his style more suited to Old Trafford’s traditions.

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