What if Leeds didnt sell Eric Cantona to Manchester United?

What if Leeds didnt sell Eric Cantona to Manchester United?
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.4

Sir Alex Ferguson says Cantona’s commitment to training was second to none

When word got around that it was because the club’s new number sevenwanted extra practice, the manager revealed that, little by little, more players began turningup and following his example. That was all because of Cantonas work ethic and influence, Fergie added.Just before he became a Man United player, Cantona had been a member albeit briefly of the well-oiled Leeds side that pipped the Red Devils to the 1991/92 title.However, despite him scoring a hat-trick in the 1992 Charity Shield against Liverpool at Wembley, then bagging the first ever Premier Leaguehat-trick against Tottenham, Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson clashed with his skilful striker. It was a situation that would prove a godsend for the other United.Ask any Man United fan who saw Cantona play and they will tell you he was a joy to watch. As a showman, he loved walking onto the Old Trafford pitch with his collar up as thousands screamed his name. He lapped it up.4

Cantona is one of the best loved players in Man United’s history

That wasnt the Wilkinson way.He wanted his players to be disciplined and adhere to a certain team pattern. Eric just didn’t fit it, former Leeds chairman Bill Fotherby told manutd.com.So, as the 1992/93 season moved into the autumn, United were struggling for results and needed a forward after summer signing Dion Dublin had broken his leg.In a conversation with Man United chairman Martin Edwards, Ferguson lamented the fact that he had missed out on signing Cantona earlier in the year. Then the phone rang. It was Fotherby, enquiring whether the Red Devils’ full-back Denis Irwin was for sale.He wasn’t, but Edwards asked if Leeds would consider selling their star striker: Lee Chapman. In the background, Ferguson frantically motioned for Edwards to ask about the availability of a different player. In the end, he scribbled the name ‘Cantona’ on a piece of paper and shoved it under Edwards’ nose.4

In addition to four Premier League titles, Cantona also won two FA Cups with United

Within an hour the deal was on,a1.2m fee was agreed and Leeds had effectively handed their rivals a player who transformed the landscape of English football in Man United’s favour.The Elland Road faithful had loved him. Theres no doubt it was a source of frustration he was sold to them for such a small amount. The fact that, as reigning English champions, their fortunesplummeted just as Cantona’s and Man United’s soared, made it hard to swallow.The Frenchman made his Red Devils debut in December 1992 and started a further 21 games, scoring nine goals in what was the beginning of a golden period for the club. In addition, Ooh ahh, Cantona quickly caught on at Old Trafford and a hero was born.I played with him for two full seasons and we won a title both times, the first of them almost single-handedly down to him, Gary Neville, who broke into the senior side during the Cantona era, said.Fergie, one of his biggest fans, seems toagree. “It was his mere presence and his ability to make and score goals, he said.Cantona’s decision to retire in May 1997at the age of 30 stunned everyone and it also left a massive hole up front, as Arsenal won the double while they finished trophyless.

But 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).4

With such swagger, United fans will tell you he was born to play for the club and they still refer to him as ‘King Eric’

The main beneficiaries had Cantona not been sold to Man United would have been Aston Villa.When Cantona joined, United were eighth, seven points off the pace, having lost four games. After his arrival the team won 18, drew six and lost just two, en route to the title.Without Cantona, it’s quite likely Villa – who pushed the Red Devils hard in 1992/93 – would have finished top of the pile.In fact, Cantona won the championship every year bar one between his arrival in England in 1992 and his retirement in 1997.The only season he failed to picked up a title winner’s medal was in 1994/95, when United missed out by failing to beat West Ham in their final game – Cantona was absent having been suspended from the end of January and, in all probability, would have been the difference between winning and losing.As always, this is just subjective because nobody can really know what may or may not have happened (we have to point this out because people take it seriously) but it’s a pretty interestingthought or a frightening one if you’re a Red.Sometimes people just move to a certain club at a certain time and become something they would never have been anywhere else, Fotherby said.

MORE

What if Alex Ferguson didn’t win the FA Cup in 1990?What if QPR were able to stop Liverpool’s European Cup domination before it began?What if Dennis Bergkamp had scored his penalty against Man United in 1999?What if Gazza joined Man United instead of Spurs?

---

Liverpool's pre-tax profits soared to £125 million over the last financial year as the club reaped the massive rewards of Champions League progress. The economic benefits of top tier European
English Premier League soccer club Liverpool announce record

---

~ Arsenal would be challenging for the Premier League title if they'd signed Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson, claims club legend Bob McNab ~ Kenya Latest
~ Transfer news and football gossip: Chelsea bid £45m for

---

Ian Rush: Liverpool are facing a season-defining six weeks

---

Fulham 0-2 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side move to the top of the Premier League as Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero pile misery on strugglers
Fulham 0-2 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side return to
hollywoodadviser.com/fulham-0-2-manchester-city-pep-guardiolas-side-return-to-top-of-premier-league-with-comfortable-win-at-craven-cottage/
summit Bernardo Silva and Sergio Aguero were on target for City in Saturday's early kick-off Manchester City coasted to a 2-0 win at Fulham to send them back to the top of the Premier League. Pep Guardiola's side moved one point ahead of Liverpool, who will face Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.
Fulham 0-2 Manchester City: Pep Guardiola's side return to

---

According to Sky Sports, Barcelona will trigger the £108m release clause in his Atletico Madrid contract having already confirmed that he will leave the Spanish capital club this summer. Premier League giants Manchester United came close to snapping Griezmann up from Atletico Madrid at the start of last season but the move didn't materialize.
PSG and Atletico Madrid to battle for £70m-rated Everton ace

---

"That is the France that we love," Griezmann said through a translator after Sunday's 4-2 victory over Croatia ended the most exciting World Cup final in decades. Fabian Delph made little
Russia Daily News - 2018-07-12 - STATOPERATOR

---

Caf president Ahmad says a new host will be determined by the end of the year. Cameroon have been stripped of hosting next year's Africa Cup of Nations, says the Confederation of African Football.
Cameroon stripped of hosting 2019 Africa Cup of Nations

---

MANCHESTER UNITED star Paul Pogba showed off his outrageous first touch during a TV interview today. The resurgent £89million man, 25, demonstrated his class after stopping a ball dead as it flew dangerously towards the camera.
Football news - WATCH - Paul Pogba shows off outrageous

---

Game date: 1 September 2018. Harry Wilson wins two awards. Liverpool player Harry Wilson, currently on loan with Derby County, has won the Championship Player of the Month award for August, with his Rams teammate Jack Marriott coming third.
EFL Cup roundup: Cardiff City, Huddersfield Town knocked out

---

Paul Coyte dreams of introducing Spurs as 'Champions League winners' and reveals Jose Mourinho prediction World Football June 3, 2019 Klopp to Receive New and Improved Contract
Tottenham News: Paul Coyte Dreams Of Introducing Spurs As
trendingfortoday.com/news/Tottenham-news:-Paul-Coyte-dreams-of-introducing-Spurs-as-‘Champions-League-winners’-and-reveals-Jose-Mourinho-prediction
Tottenham News: Paul Coyte Dreams Of Introducing Spurs As 'Champions League Winners' And Reveals Jose Mourinho Prediction I must admit, I've thought about how I'd introduce the team if they win, but just thinking about it makes my stomach turn.
Tottenham news: Paul Coyte dreams of introducing Spurs as

---

Ruben Loftus-Cheek will only sign a new long-term contract at Stamford Bridge if Chelsea assure him of a regular place in the first-team next season, reports say. The midfielder is
Ruben Loftus-Cheek will commit to new Chelsea FC deal on one

---

The official Liverpool FC website. The only place to visit for all your LFC news, videos, history and match information. Full stats on LFC players, club products, official partners and lots more.

---

Paul Pogba's selection in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year is a "great achievement", says Wes Brown, with the Manchester United midfielder deserving to be acknowledged.

---

Rangers 0 Villarreal 0 RECAP as hard-earned draw keeps Light Blues' hopes alive. Steven Gerrard's men are only one point adrift of the group leaders and will be aiming to sink the Spaniards at
Rangers Predicted XI: Villarreal (H) - rangersnews.uk

---