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
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?Chelsea vs Tottenham: Dele Alli and Eric Dier absent for London derby at Stamford Bridge. Alli scored twice in this fixture last season to earn Tottenham a 3-1 win. By talkSPORT
Dele Alli and Eric Dier updates before Chelsea vs Tottenham
Jurgen Klopp revealed that Joe Gomez is likely facing a lengthy lay-off and criticised Burnley's excessive aggression after Liverpool earned a 3-1 win at Turf Moor on Wednesday evening. Gomez was
Premier League: Burnley v Liverpool, Joe Gomez injury, Jurgen
Premier League results: Liverpool and Arsenal win, Spurs
Contents The Blizzard, Issue Four. Introduction 04. 53. Editors Note. How the understated radicalism of Arthur Rowe dened Tottenhams style. Barcelona 09. Graham Hunter, The Inverted Sheepdog. 66. The inside story of how Xavi emerged as the central hub of the worlds greatest team 24. David Winner, Corrida of Uncertainty. 71. Theory 75.
Manchester United Transfer News: Inter Milan have reached an agreement with star striker according to reports The Red Devils want around €70 million for Lukaku, but Inter Milan are unwilling
Transfer News: Manchester United slap €70 million asking
Tottenham and Liverpool will battle it out for domestic football's most coveted prize when they meet in the Champions League final on Saturday. After the two clubs staged dramatic semi-final comebacks to get to Madrid, both will feel like their name is on the trophy.
Georginio Wijnaldum sends message to Jurgen Klopp ahead of
Eden Hazard did, however, refuse to rule out staying with Chelsea Eden Hazard drops huge hint he will leave Chelsea for Real Madrid during summer transfer window.
Sarri drops HUGE hint Hazard will quit Chelsea for Real
Liverpool FC news and transfers LIVE - Reds target makes decision over future, Roberto Firmino 'not for sale' and Real Madrid chasing Mohamed Salah. Liverpool to be busy in the transfer window
Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Klopp, Salah and more - Tuesday
Leicester City manager Brendan Rodgers has claimed that Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola thrives under the pressure of the Premier League title race. Following Liverpool's 3-2 win at Newcastle
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola thrives off pressure in
Manchester City v Tottenham: 'It's meant to be' for Spurs to reach Champions League semi-finals, says club legend Graham Roberts Written by: fpnews Posted on: April 17, 2019 Tottenham legend Graham Roberts believes it's written in the stars for Spurs to beat Manchester City and progress to the Champions League semi-finals for the first
Manchester City v Tottenham: 'It's meant to be' for Spurs to
Nov 26, 2018 · West Ham are willing to wait until the end of the season before resuming talks with Declan Rice over a new contract. Rice has a season and a half left on his deal and remains no closer to agreeing
West Ham will wait until summer for Declan Rice contract talks
Premier League title race: Why Sunday April 14 will be the
Manchester United striker Romelu Lukaku will reportedly be Antonio Conte's Antonio Conte planning raid on Manchester United after taking Inter job. The former Chelsea boss appears set to
Antonio Conte will seek Man Utd talks in move that would
Using those predicted results, they have created this final table for the current season. CLICK THROUGH THE GALLERY ABOVE TO SEE THE PREDICTED FINAL TABLE. Related articles. Premier League fans: Every club's supporters ranked from angriest to happiest; Premier League clubs on Facebook: Study reveals which teams post most often
Super computer SAM predicts final Premier League table
Liverpool vs Porto: All you need to know about the Reds' Champions League opponents ahead of quarter-final clash Liverpool vs Porto 2-0 Pre-Match Preview - Champions League Liverpool vs Porto FREE: TV channel, live stream, kick off time and team news for Champions League clash
Liverpool vs Porto 2-0 Highlights & Goals Resumen & Goles 2019 HD
0 Comments