Cantona was a larger than life figure, in a sense the aura about him is even more legendary than his talents. He embodied the spirit of never-say-die, all out aggressive, attacking, football that Man United played inn the early 90s.
His professionalism and dedication to training were pioneering, combined with his natural leadership, it is easy to see how he the Man United fans and players gravitated towards him. Sir Ale was also treated him as a maverick, the normal rules of the dressing room - such how to dress- did not apply to him. And he could get away with it because everyone recognized his talents. He inspired the next Man United Captains, Roy Keane and Gary Neville, to follow in his standards, and the former went on to be our greatest captain ever in terms of trophies won.
Every full season he played in the League, he won the title. He made Man United a force in Europe again. He scored a winner in the FA Cup Final vs Liverpool, he came back from suspension to inspire Man United to the title after they fell beheind. He quit the game because he felt it became too commercialized. In some senses, he was a fairy tale player. It is also incredibly unfortunate that he left such a short while before watching the youngsters he inspired truely reach their peak when they won the treble.
As a player, in my opinion, he was highligted by his composure, touch and vision. Cantona was a big game player, never afraid to take responsiblity and he often did. At the time it seemed that every key assist or goal was due to the work of Cantona. He was never the best finisher but got more than his fair share. He played as slightly withdrawn striker, as a mix between Totti and a much more effective Berbatov, if that makes sense. He was an excellent playmaker and trustworthy targetman. But even Cantona is more than just a player.
Cantona was the crazy mad artist, the awe inspiring figure who was shunned everywhere. The type of person who everyone said would be amazing if he settled down, but they doubted if he ever would. Before he met Sir Alex there was always a "what if" overcasting his career. At United, he found home, he found love, people who would stick with him through the thick and thin. In return, he inspired them to the greatest era period for an English team and became their second ever King.