TheCable

Roy Keane and Eric Cantona, both former Manchester United players, have become the third and fourth inductees into the English Premier League Hall of Fame.

The pair were inducted on Tuesday — joining Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry, the two inaugural inductees presented by the league body last month.

Cantona, an ex-French striker, and Keane, an ex-Irish midfield enforcer, who were both captains at Man United, were selected from a 23-man shortlist after receiving the most combined votes from the public and the Premier League panel.

Cantona was a talismanic figure at Old Trafford after joining from Leeds in 1992. He guided the Red Devils to four titles in the first five seasons of the Premier League era.

“I am very happy and very proud, but at the same time I am not surprised. I would’ve been surprised not to be elected. I have been lucky to play in this team, with wonderful players, a wonderful manager and wonderful fans,” the 54-year-old charismatic ex-footballer told Premier League.

Nicknamed “The King”, the enigmatic striker played 156 matches in the EPL and scored 70 goals in 56 matches. He was famously banned for a kung-fu kick on a fan in the stands during an EPL match. He surprisingly retired at the age of 30 in May 1997.

Keane, who was an inspiring midfield figure who helped Man United to seven Premier League titles during his 12 seasons at the club, said he was lucky to be an inductee.

“I feel very lucky to be inducted but I’ve only been inducted because of the players I’ve played with. Signing for Manchester United and walking into a brilliant dressing room [was the highlight of my career],” the hard-tackling ex-midfielder said.

Keane secured 366 appearances for the club, scoring 39 goals.