On 26th November 1992, exactly 18 years ago today, Manchester United announced the shock signing of Eric Cantona for the bargain price of £1.2 Million from our hated rivals and then English Champions Leeds United. Manchester United had been on the lookout for a new striker for months, after failing to sign the likes of David Hirst and Alan Shearer, plus they had lost new signing Dion Dublin to a really bad injury early on into the season. Without doubt, United needed this boost of a new striker and it was well known that Cantona had immense talent and was not being used to the best of his abilities by manager Howard Wilkinson at Leeds United.
Eric Cantona and Manchester United would prove to be the perfect link up, especially under the guidance of Alex Ferguson, who would help bring out the best in Cantona. Despite his hugely controversial moments – the kung fu kick on a fan at Selhurst Park and the sendings off, Cantona was to become a true icon at United and without doubt, one of the best signings Ferguson was to make. Even now, songs about Eric Cantona are still sung by the faithful about Cantona at Old Trafford and at away grounds across the country and on European away trips.
As well as being thankful for the signing of Cantona, we should also be eternally grateful to Trevor Francis and Sheffield Wednesday for refusing to sell us David Hirst, after United offered them a fee rumoured to be around £3 million. Would we be remembering Hirst in the same way and singing songs about him now like we are with Cantona? I really don’t think so. Cantona and Manchester United were clearly meant to be.
Well done on a short and lovely piece about a true legend that will NEVER be forgotten by us United fans.
“I am not a man. I am Cantona.”
Thanks for the 9 million for Alan Smith and the 200k we payed for Gordon Strachan.
..and thank you for the comedy relegations and Alan Smith kissing our badge as he won the Premier League.
Good boy,you haven,t changed into a City fan yet,hanging on with the rest of glory hunters who,ll all suddenly become life long Man City fans lol.
Do think eric might have helped you avoid a home FA cup defeat to a 3rd division team lol?
KohSamuiWhites – Thanks for Rio Ferdinand as well. LUFC the greatest of all time for ONE season.
30 million for rio haha mugs
Best 30 mil United ever spent in my opinion. fergies top signing of the noughties
Honours: Barclays Premier League : 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009 (Manchester United); Carling Cup : 2006, 2009, 2010 (Manchester United); Community Shield : 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010 (Manchester United); FA Cup : 2004 (Manchester United); FIFA Club World Cup : 2009 (Manchester United); UEFA Champions League : 2008 (Manchester United)
rio the drugie 1 of your best signings please his had about 2 really good seasons since his been there and the rest have been average to bad, his now past it and you have no 1 to replace him and no money to buy with your massive debts, so on that note thanks to your stupid yank owners and thanks for proving your not as good as use, beckford 1 nil in your own backyard enough said
hahaha! how deluded. Yes… that will be Rio Ferdinand, winner of every trophy in club football and captain of his country. Has been immense for us season after season. And he was such a drugie that he never took a banned substance and got hung out to dry for his foolishness. And you will know all about stupid people running a football club…COUGH peteridsdale COUGH
Beckford obviously thought your were a massive club huh? As did Harry Kewell, Alan Smith and ALL THE REST
No… no one could have stopped us that day.
Good job you went on to win the FA cup isn’t it oh hang on that was your cup final. It always is.
Never mind slagging off Leeds! One day City are going to buy old trafford so they can expand their car park.
Won’t be a problem to most united fans before they’ll build another one in Surrey closer to the fan base.
MOT!