Manchester United legend Eric Cantona is certain the Old Trafford side will win the Premiership this season.
“For sure they will be champions,” Cantona told the BBC’s North West Tonight programme.
“It’s a new era, a new generation. They have a great team but they have a lot to prove. They need to do it. United have been brave from the start and have a good atmosphere, where they work very well with young players like Wayne Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo.”
Cantona praised manager Sir Alex Ferguson for the rebuilding he has carried out at old Trafford and establishing a team to challenge for the title.
“Ferguson is the kind of manager who can help the greatest player with a lot of experience and also help the young players. Not all managers can do that, but he can do that and find the balance on the pitch to have a strong team.”
The 40-year-old Frenchman has also been impressed with the heir to his number seven shirt at United, Cristiano Ronaldo.
“He needed to have experience and to score goals – now he has that and is a world-class player,” Cantona said.
He said he was not surprised the Old Trafford faithful had stood behind Ronaldo, despite the Portuguese winger’s role in Wayne Rooney’s sending off in the World Cup quarter-final against England.
“It can be difficult in another club than Manchester United,” Cantona said.
“But the fans of United are very faithful and behind you, they are the best. He plays for United and is one of the members of the family.”
[tags]cantona,ronaldo,man utd,premiership,wayne rooney[/tags]