Gordon Strachan has claimed that one Manchester United legend was the “perfect” signing for Sir Alex Ferguson during the Scotsman’s legendary reign at Old Trafford.
The 67-year-old played under Sir Alex Ferguson at Aberdeen and Manchester United, with Gordon Strachan previously holding a famous rivalry with his fellow Scotsman.
Strachan, who later clashed with Ferguson when he became a manager, played at Old Trafford during the 1980s before signing for United’s rivals Leeds in 1989.
The former Red Devils and Aberdeen player was at Leeds United when United legend Eric Cantona first arrived in England in 1992.
Eric Cantona was loaned out to Leeds before he made the switch permanent from French side Nimes, with the Frenchman catching the eye of United legend Ferguson.
Ferguson then completed the blockbuster signing of the 57-year-old French former forward in 1992, with the Red Devils paying Leeds a £1m fee.
Strachan on Cantona and Ferguson
Eric Cantona had a sensational impact at Old Trafford and was a key figure for former manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Manchester United during the 1990s.
The former France international lifted four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the Red Devils during a legendary spell at United.
Ferguson was a big admirer of Cantona and holds the former Leeds and Untied star in high regard, even naming him as one of the four world-class players he managed.
Cantona was a larger-than-life figure at Old Trafford and made his presence felt during his 183 appearances for United, with the Frenchman scoring 81 times.
However, the musician and actor stunned Ferguson and the world in 1997 with his sudden retirement, with Roy Keane inheriting the captain’s armband from Cantona.
Speaking to FourFourTwo magazine, Gordon Strachan claimed that ex-Leeds teammate Cantona was the “perfect” fit for Ferguson and United.
“When he came to Leeds, he helped us to win the league – there’s no doubt about that – but we worked as a unit and Eric couldn’t always see that,” he said.
“When he went to Manchester United, it was different. It was perfect for everybody; for Sir Alex and for the youngsters at United.
“I don’t think it would have worked as well at any other club.”
Strachan talks Cantona at Leeds
Despite being in the same Leeds team that won the First Division title in 1992, Strachan admitted he did not have a close relationship with Cantona off the pitch.
The former Celtic and Scotland boss claimed that Cantona would be “looking out the window” on the team bus and he would keep “himself to himself.”
Speaking on his time with Cantona, Strachan said: “We didn’t get to know him that well because he kept himself to himself.
“On the team bus, Eric would be looking out the window. Lesley and I took him to a rugby league match and he enjoyed that.
“He was a talent and, funnily enough, I first met him during a World Cup qualifier between France and Scotland.
“Andy Roxburgh said during the team talk, ‘They’ve got a poor man’s Joe Jordan up front.’”