Eric Cantona: Manchester United legend says the club should keep David Moyes as manager, claiming that 'they could be great next season'

Mercurial Frenchman says Moyes is in it for the 'long term'

Eric Cantona has given David Moyes his backing (GETTY IMAGES)

Eric Cantona, one of the greatest players to play for Manchester United, has given his backing to the club's beleaguered manager David Moyes, claiming that he there for a "long-term project" and they could get back to being "great" again next season.

It has been a season of woe for Sir Alex Ferguson's successor Moyes, with the club languishing in seventh place with 26 points fewer than they had at this stage last season and no chance of retaining their Premier League title. The were also knocked out of the FA Cup in the third round, out of the League Cup in the semi-final and will face the German champions Bayern Munich in the next round of the Champions League next week.

But the mercurial Frenchman Cantona, he of 82 goals in 185 appearances for the club between 1992 and 1997 has said today that Moyes is strong enough to handle the pressure and the good times will soon return.

"I think Moyes signed because he has a long-term project," Cantona said ahead of the Laureus World Sports awards in Kualal Lumpur.

"I think he is strong enough to handle the pressure.

"At the moment it is not very good but maybe next year it will be great and everyone will remember what [criticism] they said now, and admit: 'I was wrong'.

"Manchester United have proved in the past that they can, and are able to come back. And I'm sure they will come back soon."