He was always better at expressing himself with his feet than his words, despite his oddball philosophical references to salmon, sea gulls and sardines to explain some of the upheavals of life.

But last night, before his adoring fans, Eric Cantona broke his silence and explained for the first time why he gave up football.

The impulsive Frenchman, who was making his final appearance in a Manchester United shirt in a testimonial match for the relatives of the Munich air disaster, explained that he had had to go because "I lost my passion for the game".

He was speaking at the end of an emotional night in which 55,000 people packed into Old Trafford to remember two things: the horror of the air crash 40 years ago that wiped out the cream of the young Manchester United team, and the glory of Cantona.

At the final whistle he told the crowd: "For 10 years I gave everything to the game. I had five wonderful seasons here, the best of my career, but I lost my passion for the game. I love you all very much." He chose a fitting occasion to say goodbye to his followers after unceremoniously slipping out of Old Trafford 457 days ago without even bidding farewell to his team-mates. He has not spoken to them since. He returned yesterday with a European Select XI, for whom he played in the first half. He returned in the second half for United and was also given the honour of wearing the captain's arm-band. The crowd chanted his name throughout the game, many wearing T-shirts printed with his photograph and the word "Legend" written under it. A deafening roar had ripped through the stadium as Cantona ran on to the pitch and waltzed across the turf where he once dazzled and demoralised defenders.

"Ooh Aah Cantona" chanted the crowd from the moment he appeared until he disappeared down the Old Trafford tunnel for the final time. Their idol had returned, if only for 90 minutes and he did not disappoint, delving into his box of tricks and even scoring the seventh goal in a match which United won 8-4. But it was a game in which the score did not really matter, with all proceeds, estimated at £1 million, going to the relatives of the disaster. victims.

Cantona seemed almost embarrassed at the end of the match as he stood alone from his team-mates savouring the atmosphere as the crowd sang the name of the man who helped United win four league titles.