Andrei Kanchelskis: Everyone was scared of us
Andrei Kanchelskis says Manchester United’s revered Double-winning side of 1994 were so successful because other teams were scared of playing against them.
Our former flying winger was the special guest for the 50th episode of MUTV Group Chat.
Currently managing Navbahor Namangan in Uzbekistan, Kanchelskis considers the team which claimed the league and cup at the end of the 1993/94 campaign as the best he played in.
“I will say that absolutely everyone was a brilliant player,” the 51-year-old told us. “The goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, right-back Paul Parker, [centre-backs] Steve Bruce [and] Gary Pallister [and left-back] Denis Irwin.
MUTV Group Chat… with Kanchelskis!
Fan favourite Andrei Kanchelskis dials in from Uzbekistan to talk United, the best derbies and learning from Sir Alex…
“In midfield, Paul Ince, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs. Cantona, Hughes. Every player was a brilliant player, it was a great team, an excellent team.
“We played more relaxed, because everyone was scared of Manchester United. We play away or at home, it doesn’t matter, we knew if we concentrated we could win every game, it’s no problem for us.
“Now if you see Man United, teams aren’t scared, but in 1993/94 everyone was scared because it was a great team, with excellent players. That’s why we won trophies, and the FA Cup.”
That side may have swept all before them domestically, but the following season they failed at the group stages of the Champions League, something Kanchelskis puts down to the foreigner rule enforced by UEFA until the Bosman ruling came into effect.
“We had some problems with the Irish players and the Welsh players. We played against Barcelona, and only three [foreign] players [could play].
“Now, everybody plays! From Wales, from Ireland, European players and foreigners. When I played, it was difficult.”
Despite his busy schedule out in Uzbekistan, where, like in England, the league is set to resume shortly after the COVID-19-enforced suspension, Andrei still finds the time to watch his old clubs play, including United.
He believes manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be afforded time as he looks to rebuild the squad in his image and continue the positive steps taken during the early months of 2020.
“I watch every game of United, I watch every game of each team where I played. I watch Glasgow Rangers, Everton and Fiorentina in Italy. But especially Man United.
Every Premier League Goal: 1993/94 season
Watch all 80 of United's Premier League goals from the 1993/94 campaign...
“Now it’s a difficult time for Man United, [in the] new era after Sir Alex Ferguson. It needs time, because after the big boss – a nice man – left, Man United need change and need time – five or six more years before they come back and dominate the Premier League.
“It’s difficult, Ole needs time, maybe a couple of seasons, to see what happens. He’s a good coach, he understands the mentality of the English.
“He was a great player for Man United, he worked at Cardiff, he understands English football. It will take him time and let’s see what happens after two seasons.”
You can watch MUTV Group Chat on MUTV, ManUtd.com and the Official App every weekday.