talkSPORT.com looks at key moments infootballhistory, where events could so easily have taken a different course and asks, what if? Here, we ponder what if Leeds United had not sold Eric Cantona to bitter rivals Man United
The story
Cantona and Man United were a perfect fit. His arrival for 1.2m on 26 November, 1992, coincided with them winning their first four Premier League titles, where they hadpreviously gone 26 years without finishing top of the old First Division.Not only did Cantona’s presence influence matters on the pitch, ithad a great effect on the younger players emerging from the famed United youth system. Theyall wanted to impress the Frenchman and their skills and attributes werehoned under the talismanic forward’s watchful eye on the training ground.I remember Erics first day, and after the training session had finished he asked for a goalkeeper, two players from the junior team who were still there, and a few footballs, Sir Alex Ferguson once explained.4But what if Leeds didnt sell him to Man United?
Remember, he didnt fit in at Leeds, so it seems highly doubtful that, had Cantona stayed at Elland Road, he would have inspired them to a period of domination.He had proven difficult to handle for a number of managers, and even a recommendation to Wilkinson from Cantona’s former national team manager, Michel Platini,came with a warning about his reputation.Ferguson, though, was well aware of this and still decided the gamble was worth it. The esteem in which he held Cantona in is not an exaggeration, and as important as the Frenchman was to Man United’s success, it’s doubtful he would have flourished as well without Ferguson’s guiding hand.If Leeds hadn’t sent him to Old Trafford, it is not outlandish to think the Frenchman would have spent the next few years bouncing around clubs and falling out with everyone who crossed his path, as he previously had done.Fergie described him as the perfect player, in the perfect club at the perfect time, while Bill Fotherby believes the Old Trafford supremo wasnt as strict as Wilkinson was, which allowed Cantona more freedom as a result.Would another manager have indulged Cantona as much?Its doubtful he would have joined someone like Arsenal – league winners in 1991 – considering it was an era when the equally strict Gunners boss George Graham was buying functional players like John Jensen and replacing skilful Anders Limpar with Eddie McGoldrick.Graeme Souness at Anfield, meanwhile, was offered Cantona in 1991 but opted against signing a problem player, saving his cash instead for subsequent flops including Paul Stewart (1992) and Nigel Clough (1993).4MORE
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