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Gallic flair in a man for all seasons

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WHEN the tough get going, Eric Cantona gets a new lease of life.

By scoring in six consecutive games this time last year, he helped Manchester United reel off the victories which hauled in Newcastle.

The big Continental game away from Old Trafford remains the only stage on which Cantona has yet to impose his artistry and authority This week, away to Porto, United finished off the job in their European Cup quarter-final second-leg with a 0-0 draw after hammering the Portuguese side 4-0 at Old Trafford.

When the champions prised four points from visits to Arsenal and Chelsea without the suspended Cantona, more than one good judge suggested his mantle now belonged to David Beckham.

However, in the comprehensive defeat of Sheffield Wednesday last Saturday, as in the hurricane-force football that blew away Porto in the first leg of United's European match, the Frenchman demonstrated that he is still United's pivotal figure.

He was close to paradoxical perfection as the team leader with the maverick touch.

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