ALEX FERGUSON insisted yesterday that Eric Cantona would not be leaving Manchester United following a row over the misuse of his name on commercial products.
Cantona had issued his threat to quit football if English companies did not stop using his name to try to sell their products. But Ferguson said: "It is not on the agenda for Eric to leave Manchester United and we are doing our best, with our legal advisers, to resolve this matter to Eric's satisfaction."
United announced they would be seeking legal advice on whether to take action against companies advertising goods which Cantona or the club have not endorsed.
In a statement, the club said: "Due to the recent publicity linking Eric Cantona to a range of goods which he has not endorsed and with which he has no connection whatsoever, but which bears his name, Manchester United are taking legal advice on tile matter and would, on Eric's behalf, express his dissatisfaction and grave disapproval that his name is being used without his agreement."
Cantona, who inspired United to a second Premiership and FA Cup double in three years last season, had issued his threat on Wednesday through his lawyer, Jean-Jacques Bertrand.
The Frenchman is annoyed because English companies were exploiting his name to sell goods such as "Cantona French wines limited", "Cantona French brandy limited", and "Cantona pour homme limited".
Ferguson will move quickly to ensure that this latest threat from Cantona is not carried out as he plans the Old Trafford's club's latest assault on the European Cup.
The warning is the latest instalment of Cantona's roller-coaster involvement with English football which reached its low-point after his kung-fu style attack on a Crystal Palace fan last year.
The 30-year-old threatened to quit England after the English FA launched an inquiry into his appearance in a training match last August when he was still serving an eight-month ban for the Palace incident.
Ferguson persuaded his wayward genius to stay despite strong interest from Inter Milan and was rewarded with Cantona being named Footballer of the Year as United became the first team to complete a double double.
