ERIC CANTONA has declared his aim to rock the world once again … by becoming a singer-songwriter.
The Manchester United legend had to face the music during his playing career for Kung Fu-kicking an opposing fan and criticising France’s national coach.
GettyMan Utd legend Eric Cantona is turning his hand to singing in a new career move[/caption]
King Eric, 57, turned his hand to theatre, movies and painting after hanging up his boots in 1997.
He has now composed a number of songs, and plans to perform them on a tour – starting in Manchester in October.
The first two numbers are due to be released on June 2.
Cantona said: “I’ve always thought that singing in public is an intense experience, that can give you the sort of adrenalin you get from sport.
“My offering won’t be perfect, but I love the sorts of accidents that give rise to great moments.
“I have written a very powerful new song to go with music composed by Gaetan Roussel. Expressing oneself through art has more impact.
“And even if what I do doesn’t make an impact, at least for me it will be a work of art.
“That will be better than thinking people see me as an idiot mouthing off in a bar.
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“When I began in football I played before 100 people, then 500, then 1,000 and so on.
“Now I feel more like I did when I started out in theatre, when I was thrown in the deep end straight away.
“It is excitement rather than fear. Stage fright paralyses you, but excitement galvanises you.”
Cantona revealed he has been writing music anonymously for the past decade.
He added: “I previously wrote all the lyrics for my wife Rachida Brakni’s album in 2012, and for the song ‘Le temps passe’ in 2017.
“I wrote them under a pseudonym, Auguste Raurich. It was a way to trick prejudiced people into taking the songs seriously.”
Cantona first made his name with Leeds before joining United for £1million in 1992.
He went on to win four Premier League titles and two FA Cups during his five turbulent years at Old Trafford.