Cantona had written a letter in the French newspaper Libération which seemed to state his intention to gather 500 signatures, the symbolic number needed to launch a campaign for the presidency. He described himself as “very much aware of our times” which he argued offer “limited opportunities” to the young and generate “violent” and “systematic” injustices.  It sounded like the perfect platform from which a man most famous for a swift piece of retributive justice – that kung-fu kick – could launch an equally fiery and passionate campaign to unseat the current French president Nicolas Sarkozy.

It prompted much excitement and some excellent comments on Twitter, including many along the lines best expressed by the BBC presenter, Jeremy Vine, who tweeted: “Cantona wants to be the next president of France. Oh yeah, and Thierry Henry is going to play for Arsenal again and score the winner on his debut.” 

But then the excitement crumbled just as rapidly as the current Manchester United frontline in the second half against City last Sunday.  Cantona had played a blinder, sold a dummy, feinted in front of goal: pick the bad football pun of your choice.  The paper’s deputy editor explained that the letter was not a presidential bid as such, but rather a call to get 500 mayors to sign a petition about the French housing crisis for the charitable Abbé Pierre Foundation.

Despite being voted as Manchester United fans “Player of the Century” last year, this is surely a stunt too far.  Whatever will we see next?  Beckham for Prime Minister or maybe even Sir Alex as Scotland’s next First Minister?  Stranger things have happened I suppose.