Cantona and Ferguson reunite on stage for Flower of Evil documentary event in Manchester

Eric Cantona and Sir Alex Ferguson will share a stage for the first time in years at Aviva Studios in Manchester on December 7, reuniting to mark the release of the documentary Cantona: Flower of Evil.

The special in-conversation event will follow a screening of the film, during which the former player and manager are expected to discuss its contents and reflect on the years they spent together at Old Trafford — a period widely credited with transforming Manchester United into serial winners.

Organisers say the pair will share “personal memories of their years together” and reflect on a partnership that “helped define an era” at the club. Cantona played under Ferguson from 1992 to 1997, scoring 82 goals in 185 appearances and playing a central role in United’s first Premier League title triumph in the 1992-93 season.

Directed by David Tryhorn and Ben Nicholas, Cantona: Flower of Evil received its world premiere at Cannes earlier this year. The film features interviews with Cantona’s parents, David Beckham, and former Auxerre manager Guy Roux, as well as Ferguson himself. It was written and produced by Stevan Riley, with a score by Orbital’s Paul Hartnoll.

Critical reception has been strong since Cannes. The Daily Telegraph’s Robbie Collin awarded it five stars, calling it “fizzingly brilliant” and a “match-winning masterpiece”.

Tickets are available via the Aviva Studios website, with packages ranging from £150 to £999. The top-tier Gold package includes a photo opportunity with Cantona and a signed Manchester United shirt.

The documentary will also open in cinemas on December 7, with audiences able to watch a broadcast of the in-conversation event as it takes place that evening. An encore cinema screening is scheduled for December 12.