Cantona gives his thoughts to the press. (Allsport)

By Mike Sinclair, PA Sport

Click here to place your World Cup bets!
Click here for France team section
Click here for teams index
Click here for latest World Cup headlines
Click here for World Cup photo gallery
Click here for World Cup Bettingzone

Eric Cantona fears that the World Cup hopes of England and reigning champions France could flounder on their defensive frailties.

The 35-year-old former Manchester United star is concerned that his home country's central defensive pair of Chelsea's Marcel Desailly and Frank Leboeuf, of Marseille, are not good enough.

"You can't win the World Cup with bad defenders. Desailly and Leboeuf are not good enough and because of that they will not win the World Cup," was the candid opinion from Cantona, who has spent the Bank Holiday weekend playing in the latest round of the Kronenbourg Cup beach soccer tournament in Brighton.

He insists that he was not shocked by France's 1-0 defeat by Senegal in their opening match, having 15 years ago first predicted that he could see the day when an African team would win the World Cup.

And he believes that France's hopes of recovering from their opening setback and qualifying from Group A rest on the fitness of inspirational midfielder Zinedine Zidane.

"If Zinedine comes back, yes. If not, no," was the no-punches-pulled statement from Cantona after suffering his own defeat as his France side were beaten 7-3 by Portugal on the specially imported sand laid over the stones at Brighton.

Cantona, who delighted the fans by scoring one goal in the game, also raised questions over England's defensive capabilities following the 1-1 draw with Sweden in their opening match.

"I didn't like the way England played. It was like an amateur game in the second half," he said before quickly adding: "I still believe they could get through. I know they can play better."

"Amateur" was also the label he attached to the Republic of Ireland set-up as he spoke out in support of his former Manchester United team-mate Roy Keane.

"He does not have anything to prove to anyone," said Cantona. "I think Roy Keane is too professional for Ireland because they are amateurs."

He believes that Ireland could even benefit in their preparations for future major championships if they analyse and take on board the criticism Keane made.

"They didn't understand him because he is such a professional. It could be good for the team because they might realise in the future that they have to listen to him and players like him," added Cantona.

"It's great that a player like him speaks out and says what is wrong because they have to do it properly in the future."