The 47-year-old believes the altercation with a photographer in north London was “small” and insists the incident has been amplified by the media

Eric Cantona has played down his recent arrest in north London, suggesting the incident should have been considered “too small to interest anyone”.

The former Manchester United striker was cautioned for common assault on Wednesday.

Cantona, who has now returned to France after the altercation, insists his argument with a photographer was blown out of proportion by the media.

“Yes, I had an altercation with a paparazzi, who, according to me, was being too intrusive,” said the 47-year-old.

“I spent three or four hours at the police station and then I came back home to Paris, as I had planned. If it had been violent, I would not have spent only three or four hours there.

“The story itself was too small to get the interest of anyone, so they had to amplify it. But I’m used to it.”

Cantona retired from football in 1997 after spending four and a half years at Old Trafford.