As a Frenchman who used to look on and watch Manchester United from afar, it's little wonder than Ronald Zubar used to enjoy the talents of a certain Eric Cantona.

 

And not least because he met him on several occasions while playing for Marseilles.

 

Zubar is hoping to retain his place in the Wolves team to tackle the current United side tomorrow, vowing to display the similar will-to-win as the former Old Trafford hero.

 

"I used to watch Manchester United as a kid and liked to se Eric Cantona play," says Zubar.

 

"He was a great player and also a real character as well.

 

"He played for Manchester United and then left but the fact he is still so much in the minds of the supporters shows what a player he was

.

"Some of the goals he scored were incredible.

"I loved his attitude as well.

 

"I think some people thought he was arrogant but it was fine with me - he was a great player and I think everyone respected him for his abilities.

 

"He's one of those who when you went onto the pitch I think the other players sometimes thought: "He wants to kill me!"

 

"For that I love this man!

 

 

"I've spoken to him a couple of times because he comes from Marseilles and has family there and came to watch a few games.

 

"Off the pitch talking to him he was very cool and a much different character from when he played.

 

"It's always good to see another good French player like that with personality.

 

"I like to think I enjoy football and life in the same way and while I might not have the same qualities when I'm on the pitch I give it everything."

 

Wolves have certainly been giving everything as a team in recent weeks, producing some fine performances but without the points to match.

 

Improving those fortunes against a team like Manchester United would clearly be no mean feat, but Zubar insists belief is high heading into the tough challenge.

 

"I think everyone at the moment can see we are playing well whether it's from inside the club, outside or in the press," he explains.

 

"We've been doing well for the last month but the results haven't really come yet.

 

"It's up to us to make that change.

"In the last home game against Chelsea we played well and ended up with nothing and now we've got another of the top teams in Manchester United.

 

"They've got some great players like Rooney, Valencia, Vidic and Evra and we must give them respect.

"But we must also put that to one side and concentrate on playing our own game and trying to cause them problems.

 

"We can't change our mentality going into the game and have to believe we can win."

 

 

Wolves have already been beaten twice by Manchester United this season - once in the league and once in the Carling Cup - as well as twice by Chelsea and once by Liverpool and Arsenal.

 

 But even in those games performances have largely been decent, and that gives Zubar and company hope ahead of the visit of the Red Devils.

 

"I think we've done well against the top teams in our performances," says the Frenchman.

 

"We beat Tottenham twice, did well at times against Chelsea and got a point against Liverpool.

 

"And in the away game with United there was nothing in it until they got the penalty.

"Everyone knows that if we win tomorrow it is a surprise but if we lose it is considered normal.

"But we are in a position where we want to take some points, and certainly one at least.

"The last game with Bolton was disappointing because we could have won or at least come back with a draw.

 

"Although we lost so did the other teams around us so we are still in a position outside of the bottom three.

 

"From our point of view though whoever we are playing whether it's Manchester United, Burnley or Portsmouth we go into the game wanting to win.

 

"We are at home tomorrow and the fans will be cheering us on so we've got a chance."

 

It's been something of a truncated week at the Compton training ground, as it will have been at most Premier League clubs across the country, due to the programme of midweek internationals.

 

The Wolves squad will train together as a whole for the first time today, and attentions will quickly turn to preparations for United.

 

 

"A few players have been away with their international teams for a different atmosphere and we've had a couple of days off," says Zubar.

 

"We all came back in yesterday and ready to prepare for tomorrow's game.

 

"Everyone is back in and happy and training hard to try and get a place in the team.

 

"It's up to all of us to prove we deserve a place in the team and the gaffer will be looking at us.

"We know it's a big game and a tough game and we all want to be involved in it.

 

"It doesn't need any talking-up and we just need to make sure we go out there and stay together on the pitch.

 

"We've all got to concentrate on doing our own jobs."

 

* Ronald Zubar is a cool 50-1 to open the scoring with what would be his first Premier League goal against United.  Click here for the latest odds from our sponsors, Sportingbet.com.

 

CLICK HERE FOR SIMPLE GUIDE TO ONLINE RENEWALS