“I am not a man. I am Cantona!” says the former Manchester United star, now an actor — this time playing himself in Ken Loach’s new comedy.

He is a kind of fantasy figure who comes to the aid of Eric, a troubled postman who has always worshipped him from afar. Our postman hero has a chaotic life. He lives alone with wild and wilful stepsons but still loves the woman he fell for more than 30 years ago (Stephanie Bishop) but who has left him to his own devices.

All his footballing mates would like to help him. But it is Cantona who sits on his bed, shares a smoke with him and tells him to take a few more risks in life. In typical Cantona style
he tells Eric: “He who is afraid to throw the dice will never throw a six,” which is marginally more comprehensible than some of his pronouncements during his often controversial playing days. The film is warmly sentimental about football fans, working-class family life and indeed postmen —too obviously, so at times a certain amount of whimsical wishful-thinking prevails. But as usual in Loach movies, the acting is much more than just convincing. It is notable for its utter sincerity.

Cantona, playing himself for the first time, never overcooks his part, though Chelsea, Arsenal and Spurs fans may not be entirely convinced of either his modesty or wisdom.

Steve Evets is splendid as our harried postman, and the group of football maniacs — deliciously led by John Henshaw — give Loach and Paul Laverty, his regular writer, the chance to make us laugh without seeming patronising. That, of course, is Loach’s forte. You feel he really likes his characters and finds it hard to portray real villains unless they are as middle-class as he is.

This is the nearest he will ever get to a feelgood movie, and may well become one of his most successful. At Cannes it was received with acclamation, possibly because of the many grim films in competition but probably because Loach is adored here as a world-class talent not always appreciated enough on home territory.