Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has his sights on the French presidency.

Cantona has written to French mayors outlining his credentials and asking for their support.

"This engagement obliged me to speak, more earnestly than usual, but also with a keen sense of my responsibility, at a time when our country faces difficult choices which will be decisive for its future," said the letter.

In his letter, printed in the Liberation newspaper, Cantona expressed his strong feelings towards the social injustices experienced by the French nation, and by young people in general.

Election candidates will compete in a first round in late April, with the two biggest vote-winners going through to a decisive second round in early May.

Socialist candidate Francois Hollande is currently leading President Nicolas Sarkozy in the polls.