Cantona retired at the conclusion of the 1996-97 season at the age of 30, which, even by the standards of the time was premature. The Frenchman revealed that he retired because he had lost his passion for the game and felt unwilling to make the sacrifices that are necessary at the highest level in the game. He followed through with the decision to retire from playing football professionally despite pleas from his father, Albert, and from his boss at Manchester United, Sir Alex Ferguson.