Gossip: Eric's replacement

Sometimes the approach was a little scatter-gun as The Independent reacted instantly to Cantona's departure by listing possible targets that included Southampton legend Matt Le Tissier - "lazy by the standards of United's work effort" and Roberto Baggio - "although 30, still a great talent". The same article mentioned Dejan Savicevic and also included a passing reference to Teddy Sheringham, who would ultimately fill the Frenchman's shoes.

The Daily Mirror went on to claim 11 players had rejected moves to United, including other forwards such as Gabriel Batistuta, Alen Boksic, Zinedine Zidane and Alan Shearer.

And it was not just a Cantona replacement - Harry Harris claimed the manager had been "desperately searching for a sweeper for more than a year." AC Milan veteran Franco Baresi was the reported chief target, despite alleged rival interest from Newcastle, but a story with more substance related to Markus Babbel.

The Bayern Munich defender saw a possible switch to the Reds