Throughout his remarkable playing career, the legendary forward “oozed charisma”.
After being relegated from the Premier League, Leeds United let several first-team players to go on loan or permanently last summer, which resulted in a squad clear out.
Luis Sinisterra was later transferred to Bournemouth, while Tyler Roberts and Rodrigo were sold. Other players that departed on loan included Rasmus Kristensen, Jack Harrison, Max Wober, Robin Koch, Brenden Aaronson, and Marc Roca.
In the years to come, it remains to be seen if the Whites will come to regret any of the choices they made regarding those exits.
Known for having a major shocker with French forward Eric Cantona, Leeds infamously lived to rue selling him to fierce rivals Manchester United in November 1992.
According to reports, the attacker and then-manager Howard Wilkinson did not get along well; the two had a falling out, which allowed the attacker to leave Elland Road.
The “toxicity” surrounding him at the club meant they were not ready to rule out a move away from Yorkshire for the jewel, which allowed the Red Devils to rush in and sign him for just £1m.
Before it was later disclosed that the real cost was £600k less, it was stated to be £1.6 million at the time of the transfer. The first valuation was made in order to ease the ire of Leeds fans.
Cantona scored 14 goals and provided five assists in 34 games across all competitions in less than a full year at the club, according to The Mirror, who also stated that prominent players in the team could sense his potential.
That, regrettably, was unable to mend the rift in Leeds and Wilkinson’s relationship, as the France international went on to become a legend in England with Manchester United.
Nine goals and eleven assists in 22 Premier League games during the 1992–1993 season demonstrated the iconic star’s incredible return to form at Old Trafford.
Cantona’s performance in the next season’s top flight was even more impressive as he scored 18 goals and provided 12 assists in 34 games, winning him the division’s PFA Players’ Player of the Year title.
The unpredictable player, who “oozed confidence,” according to former colleague Peter Schmeichel, concluded his playing career with 183 Red Devil appearances in all competitions, 81 goals, and 62 assists.
Consequently, even with his less-than-ideal connection with the manager, Leeds had a major shock when they sold him for £1 million, as he went on to win a top-flight Player of the Year award and was instrumental in their rivals winning four of the next five league titles.
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