carlyluvsunited
08-12-2007, 07:58 AM
French football legend Jean-Pierre Papin has exclusively revealed to
setantasports.com that he came close to joining Manchester United in 1996, after
Eric Cantona recommended his countryman to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Papin enjoyed a stellar career, topping the French League goalscorers' charts for
five consecutive years while playing for Marseille, but says not playing in England
is his biggest regret.
The France international was on the sidelines with Bayern Munich during the
1995/96 season, when Manchester United famously hauled in Newcastle United's
12-point lead in The Premier League.
Newcastle bought Faustino Asprilla during a similar stage of this memorable
season, but Papin was denied his dream move to Old Trafford.
"It almost happened in '96," Papin told setantasports.com. "I was injured at
Bayern and Eric Cantona asked Sir Alex to take me.
"But Bayern did not want me to leave. I regret it.
"Manchester are Manchester. When you watch, football some clubs touch you and
they are one of those.
"My father loved this club, so, logically, I followed his example."
Andy Cole was barely a year into his United career at this time and Cantona was
thought to be unhappy playing alongside him - a conjecture his move to recruit
his international team-mate seems to emphasise.
By the end of the season Papin's chance to move to The Red Devils, who had just
celebrated winning the domestic Double, was over and he was transferred
instead to Bordeaux.
"I had a great feeling with Eric because we were complementary on the pitch,"
Papin added.
"We appreciated each other in daily life so it made things easier.
"I was really touched when he asked me to join."
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setantasports.com that he came close to joining Manchester United in 1996, after
Eric Cantona recommended his countryman to Sir Alex Ferguson.
Papin enjoyed a stellar career, topping the French League goalscorers' charts for
five consecutive years while playing for Marseille, but says not playing in England
is his biggest regret.
The France international was on the sidelines with Bayern Munich during the
1995/96 season, when Manchester United famously hauled in Newcastle United's
12-point lead in The Premier League.
Newcastle bought Faustino Asprilla during a similar stage of this memorable
season, but Papin was denied his dream move to Old Trafford.
"It almost happened in '96," Papin told setantasports.com. "I was injured at
Bayern and Eric Cantona asked Sir Alex to take me.
"But Bayern did not want me to leave. I regret it.
"Manchester are Manchester. When you watch, football some clubs touch you and
they are one of those.
"My father loved this club, so, logically, I followed his example."
Andy Cole was barely a year into his United career at this time and Cantona was
thought to be unhappy playing alongside him - a conjecture his move to recruit
his international team-mate seems to emphasise.
By the end of the season Papin's chance to move to The Red Devils, who had just
celebrated winning the domestic Double, was over and he was transferred
instead to Bordeaux.
"I had a great feeling with Eric because we were complementary on the pitch,"
Papin added.
"We appreciated each other in daily life so it made things easier.
"I was really touched when he asked me to join."
Click below to join manutdtalk.com forums to read and
discuss all breaking news on all things United !!! Come talk to us….
http://manutdtalk.com/forums/register.php