The legendary Red Devils coach: The road to success

Chapter 235 A strange call

"Cantona's transfer to Manchester United was a historic event that affected the Premier League landscape and was also a major event that determined Ferguson's achievements. But this transfer started very strangely and ended very strangely. The beginning was full of accidental factors, and the process was completed very smoothly, just like lightning."

--Inscription

How did Cantona come to the Red Devils?

The Red Devils encountered various setbacks during the season. The injury of midfield leader Robson affected the entire team's structure. The injuries of Parker, Phelan and Webber made the team's situation worse. The worst was Dublin. The striker who was highly expected by Ferguson only played one highlight game before breaking his leg and missing the game. Ferguson was unable to make a meal without the right ingredients, and the team's frontcourt suddenly fell into difficulties.

After entering November, the Red Devils suffered a series of blows, winning only 11 games in 13 games, falling to 2th place in the standings, and being eliminated from two cup competitions. At this time, Ferguson began to hear the noise of his dismissal.

Ferguson was extremely anxious. He knew that the Red Devils needed goals the most. However, no matter how hard Hughes and McClair tried, the team's flaws in the midfield and frontcourt were still very obvious. With Dublin seriously injured and McClair needing to retreat, the team's attacking power was greatly reduced. After Ferguson's attempt to recruit Beardsley was rejected, the Red Devils' transfer department sent invitations to many targets, including Sheringham, Ferdinand, Barnes, Chapman, Wright, Mick Halford, Lineker, Le Tissier and other superstars and famous players, but all of them failed without exception. The Red Devils also became the object of media ridicule.

Why didn't the Red Devils plan to bring in Cantona at that time? The reason is very simple. Cantona had just signed with Leeds United in the summer of 1992, and Leeds United and the Red Devils were still in a competitive relationship. Ferguson naturally didn't think of targeting this target.

If no one knew that Cantona wanted to leave and that Leeds United wanted to sell this hot potato, no one would have thought that the main player who had just signed the contract would leave a defending champion team.

Even the powerful media did not report any news about Cantona's transfer that year.

Ferguson got some secrets earlier than others. Houllier, the then French coach, was a good friend of Ferguson. He told Ferguson: "There is an excellent player in my team. He is different, very creative, and has excellent confrontation ability. I admire him very much, but this guy has a tough personality and is sometimes a little weird. He will get into trouble because of being too self-centered. You know I am talking about Cantona."

Ferguson asked: "So what is the situation now?"

"I felt like he was probably in trouble and he wasn't happy in the team," Houllier said.

Houllier knew that Cantona was having a miserable time at Leeds United, arguing with head coach Wilkinson and being isolated and treated coldly by his teammates. He very much wanted to find a way out for the French genius.

Houllier strongly recommended his favorite student to Ferguson, "Alex, this is a proud eagle, he needs a better sky to fly."

Ferguson noticed Cantona's predicament, but the difficulty of recruiting players was obvious. Leeds United was not short of money, and Wilkinson had no chance of selling the main striker to the Red Devils.

In November 1992, the media finally reported on the turmoil in the Leeds United dressing room. Cantona and Wilkinson were reported to have a public breakup. Wilkinson did not give Cantona a starting position, and Cantona was ready to leave the team.

Where will Cantona go? At first, it was rumored that it was Liverpool, but even though Platini recommended it, coach Souness still refused it outright. In addition, Tottenham, Newcastle, Villa, West Ham and other teams also clarified that they had no plans.

What about the Red Devils?

The Red Devils' team reporters thought it was impossible. "How could Cantona's personality accept Ferguson's control? If the two of them worked together, they would definitely fight. Ferguson needs a striker, but he doesn't need a bomb in the locker room."

At that time, Leeds United was short of defenders. The main full-back Mel Strang was seriously injured and absent. The rotation players were completely unable to fill in. Wilkinson was also eager to recruit players urgently. Leeds United also encountered various obstacles on the road to recruiting players like the Red Devils. After all, it is not easy to find a strong full-back.

Later, Leeds United chairman Fother had his eye on Irwin. He thought Irwin made his debut at Leeds United, and as long as the Red Devils agreed, Irwin would definitely not refuse. As for whether the Red Devils agreed, Fother thought that everything could be discussed, it was nothing more than a question of price.

At that time, although Leeds United and the Red Devils were rivals, the clubs still cooperated in transfers. Fother recalled the previous transfers of Johnny Giles and Gordon Strachan sold by the Red Devils to Leeds United, and he did not think that the Red Devils would be unwilling to let Irwin go.

Fother confidently called the Red Devils on November 1992, 11. At that time, Ferguson and Edwards were discussing things in the office and were at a loss as to how to introduce a good striker.

They even discussed various foreign targets, but Edwards and Ferguson still felt they had no idea where to start.

When Forssell called, Edwards didn't know what he wanted to do. After a few pleasantries on the phone, Forssell got straight to the point and asked Edwards if he could agree to sell Dennis Irvin and the transfer fee was negotiable.

Edwards really didn't think that anyone would target the Red Devils' core defender. He responded with a few "hahahaha"s on the phone, expressing his shock at hearing the news, but did not directly refuse.

Ferguson later recalled in his book Just Champion: "The timing of the call was incredible. It was a blessing for us. It was really God's will."

Edwards in turn asked if Leeds could consider selling Chapman, a suggestion that was rejected outright by Fother. Ferguson gestured to stop Edwards from discussing Chapman, and at the same time signaled Edwards to change the subject. Ferguson glanced at a piece of paper nearby, so he wrote Cantona's name on it and held it in front of the chairman.

Ferguson was still naive, he had no idea that Edwards, the old fox, was making a feint to the east and attacking in the west. Edwards chatted with Fossell calmly and tricked him into buying Chapman in order to let his opponent relax his vigilance.

Fother thought the Red Devils wanted to buy Chapman, and when Edwards turned the topic to McAllister, Fother also firmly refused. When Edwards asked about Cantona, Fother obviously hesitated and said he needed to consult the coach.

The opportunity is here.

Fossell and Wilkinson were there too, and they quickly came to an agreement. Fossell agreed, saying, "Wilkinson has no objection, but Cantona is not here, so we need to ask him if he is willing to leave."

Edwards and Ferguson were overjoyed when they heard this.

The two sides quickly entered into substantive negotiations. Ferguson waited for Edwards to hang up the phone and then called Cantona. Cantona expressed his willingness to transfer, but wanted to meet with the Red Devils' representatives and Ferguson first. Ferguson immediately arranged a time to meet with Cantona. The two sides hit it off and quickly reached a consensus.

And just like that, the negotiation was complete.

This major event, which is enough to go down in history and affect the Premier League landscape, was completed so quickly and "pleasantly".

Ferguson said: "I knew Cantona's situation before and when Leeds United came to us to buy him, I knew the opportunity had come. I have to say that Edwards made perfect use of the opportunity of that phone call and I was the most direct witness."

"We wanted to buy Irwin, but Wilkinson also wanted to sell Cantona," said Forsell. "At the time, Wilkinson kept gesturing, urging me to agree to the Red Devils' conditions, fearing that Edwards would go back on his word."

"Do we regret it? Of course we should have asked for more money, £120m was too cheap."

Both Fother and Wilkinson thought they were the smarter party at the time. They sent away a big trouble and received a transfer fee of more than one million, which was equivalent to making a fortune for nothing. However, they did not know that Cantona was a decisive figure who could establish a new pattern in the Premier League.

Cantona later described the reason for joining the club in a rather romantic way, "My fate with the Red Devils seems destined by heaven. We are like two people who have been pursuing each other and are suddenly struck by the lightning of love. I am very happy to play for the Red Devils. This is a legendary club and I like this magical history."

Cantona finally concluded: "I needed to leave Leeds United. I was almost suffocating, and now Ferguson has given me the opportunity to start again."

Cantona still remembers his first meeting with Ferguson. "Alex was very special to me. He thought I was a man, a special man. He could fully understand my previous experience and did not see me as a bad boy. I felt his sincerity and tolerance, as well as his fiery passion. These are very important. After the meeting, he made my heart calm and peaceful."

Cantona's transfer was completed at lightning speed. Leeds asked for £160 million at the time, and Ferguson was willing to accept it, but Edwards cunningly asked Fother to reduce the price to £120 million.

Ferguson still remembered this transfer vividly after his retirement. He recalled: "I was in the office of Chairman Edwards discussing who to sign. We felt very helpless because many players rejected us. But at this time, Leeds United called and sent Cantona. It was amazing."

"Why did the Red Devils sign Cantona? Almost all reporters couldn't imagine it. They almost unanimously believed that Cantona would never accept the Red Devils' style and my management. But my meeting with Cantona was very pleasant. Mr. Edwards's strength lies in his control over the bid. Leeds United wanted 200 million pounds, but Edwards was only willing to give 120 million, and the result was that the contract was signed."

When the Red Devils signed Cantona, the reporters were still in the dark. Ferguson said: "It was settled like this. The next day was our derby match with Manchester City. Kidd and I made an appointment with Cass, and we had lunch with Joe Melling of the Sunday Mail at the Portland Hotel. They were eating and chatting happily, and I said sorry, you guys sit down for a while, I'll be back soon. So I went to sign Cantona. Then the next day he was on the bench in the game against Manchester City. I remember that McClair was injured at the time, so I sent him on the field."

Joe Merlin of the Sunday Mail had no idea that he was witnessing the most magical transfer in the history of the Premier League. When Ferguson told him the truth, Merlin felt extremely sorry that he had missed such a wonderful signing.

Ferguson described Cantona as a fantastic player. "Cantona is a natural leader. His passion and fighting spirit can ignite every player on the field. His football skills and wisdom are amazing. The Red Devils will have a new 'cap opener' and will become stronger and more versatile!"

Ferguson's assistant Kidd couldn't believe the price when he heard it. "My first reaction was that Cantona was missing a leg or something. How could the price be so low?!"

Reporters were unanimously pessimistic about the transfer, and even Ferguson was affected.

Ferguson said, "After I attended the press conference, I began to feel nervous about the deal. There was no flaw in the deal and the process was also standardized. Cantona was my goal and I was confident in his ability. But it was all too smooth. Did we do the right thing? Is Cantona suitable for the Red Devils? This is completely uncertain and may go wrong at any time. I was a little worried about the controversy surrounding Eric's past. But after only a few hours, I cleared away these emotions and decided to start a new day."

Ferguson said: "I firmly believe that the Red Devils have signed the right person. Now we have to consider how to make the most of Cantona's talent and ability."