Cantona appears at Eric premiere

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Looking for Eric is directed by Ken Loach

Former Manchester United footballer Eric Cantona was given a hero's welcome when he attended the UK premiere of a film which bears his name.

Looking for Eric, by director Ken Loach, tells the story of a postman called Eric who turns to his hero Cantona for inspiration.

The Frenchman, famous for his enigmatic character as well as his football, plays himself in the film.

The premiere took place at the Lowry Outlet Mall in Salford Quays on Monday.

The venue was a stone's throw from the Old Trafford ground where Cantona made his mark as a Manchester United forward in the 1990s.

Steve Evets, who stars as the football fanatic postman, had no idea Cantona would be acting in the film until the Frenchman suddenly turned up on set.

He said: "I was working with two living legends, Ken Loach and Eric Cantona, but on the same project. It doesn't get much better from an actor's point of view."

Paul Laverty, the Celtic-supporting script writer, said he wanted to make the film about the Hoops legendary number 7, Jimmy Johnstone, but working with Cantona was great consolation.

He said: "He was a gem. He's a very, very modest man, a very bright man."

Looking for Eric is released on 12 June.