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When Eric Cantona made the decision to walk away from Old Trafford in May 1997, he was one of the finest players to have worn the famous red shirt. It was a traumatic experience for everyone involved with the Red Devils – fans, players and the manager too.
Former United gaffer Sir Alex Ferguson has revealed in a letter that was sent to Eric Cantona that he deeply regrets not finding a replacement for him and has admitted that he would have loved to have found a ‘young Cantona’, according to Mirror. The emotional letter to Cantona was revealed in Ferguson’s autobiography, ‘Leading’, which was released on Tuesday.
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The Scotsman has also admitted to his former striker that failing to win the European Cup in 1997 ‘got to him’. However, his desire to taste success in European club competitions was fulfilled two year’s on from Cantona’s departure when United miraculously defeated Bayern Munich in the finals of Champions League 1999.
While talking about bringing in top players to the club, he said:
"If I was younger, I suppose I could look at it differently, but from a personal point of view, I have not won the European Cup and that gets to me at times.”
"However, I have to carry on and not put up a mental barrier and I have always had the belief and trust in my players and wish to continue to do so.”
"I keep hoping that I will discover a young Cantona! It is a dream!"
Ferguson wanted to remain friends with Cantona after he left the club
When Cantona left Old Trafford, it left a big gap in the squad as he played a pivotal role in United’s dominance in English football during the 1990s. Teddy Sheringham was signed from Tottenham as the Frenchman’s replacement. But Ferguson has revealed that it was impossible to replace a player of Cantona’s calibre.
He wrote to Cantona: "Players sometimes don't realise how difficult it is to play at our level as every game is a Cup Final for our opponents so I just hope he can do it for us."
The man who was brought on to replace the United legend did not disappoint the Scotsman and Sheringham repaid his manager’s faith by scoring the equaliser against Bayern Munich in the Champions League 1999 final.
The emotional letter was sent to Cantona “some months” after the pair last spoke as manager and player as a "mark of respect and esteem" to which Ferguson held his iconic No.7.
He emotionally concluded the letter by offering his lifetime friendship towards the Frenchman.
"Eric you know where I am if you need me and now that you are no longer one of my players, I hope you know you have a friend."
