25 years ago at Selhurst Park, Eric Cantona infamously kicked a Crystal Palace supporter who was hurling abuse his way, after being sent off.
👑 Many happy returns to Eric Cantona today! 🎂 pic.twitter.com/ccVONdQOJ4
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 24, 2019
And one of his teammates on that night, Lee Sharpe, has recalled the scene in the dressing room following the 1-1 draw.
Even though he had stepped out of line, Sir Alex Ferguson didn't give his talisman the hairdryer treatment.
Instead he went after the likes of Sharpe himself, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Gary Pallister.
"There's benches in the middle of the room with shirts and balls to be signed," Sharpe said, via Goal.
"Cups of tea and plates of sandwiches. They're sent fucking flying everywhere.
"We're getting scalded and getting egg sandwiches down the back of our necks. We look at each other, thinking, 'Fucking hell, Cantona is getting it here!'
"And then he starts, the manager. Fucking Pallister, you can't head anything, you can't tackle. Incey, where the fuck have you been? Sharpey, my grandmother runs f**king faster than you! ... You're all a f**king disgrace.
"Nine o'clock, tomorrow morning, I'm going to run your fucking balls off in training. F**king shocking. And Eric... you can't go round doing things like that son'."
It’s been 24 years since Eric Cantona retaliated to a fan by fly kicking him. Iconic. pic.twitter.com/yC8Ei4jX4Z
— The Man Utd Way (@TheManUtdWay) January 25, 2019
#OnThisDay in 1995, Eric Cantona was banned for nine month for kung-fu kicking a Crystal Palace fan 😳
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) January 25, 2019
Then came THAT press conference... pic.twitter.com/JVyiU10cUz
Cantona was subsequently banned for nine months, and United lost out on the title to Blackburn Rovers on the final day, despite Rovers losing to Liverpool.
The Frenchman made his return in triumphant fashion the following season by scoring a penalty against Liverpool at Old Trafford and earning a draw against their rivals.
He was only actually a United player for five seasons and retired from the game at the age of 30, yet he's still absolutely adored by the red half of Manchester, having scored 80 goals for the club, producing endless amounts of individual brilliance, as well as lifting four Premier League titles.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/legends-foul-play-how-sir-alex-ferguson-reacted-to-eric-cantonas-kung-fu-kick-in-1995-20200524
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