Gordon Strachan opens up on why Eric Cantona was a better fit at Man United than Leeds United

Gordon Strachan has admitted that Eric Cantona’s individual nature meant it was hard for him and his teammates to get to know the mercurial Frenchman during his time at Leeds United.

Cantona signed on at Elland Road in January 1992 and he would go on to help Howard Wilkinson’s side win the 1992 Division One title as Leeds were crowned champions of England in the final season before the Premier League was established. 

And while Strachan acknowledges the role Cantona played in Leeds’ title win, he does not feel he ever really got to know the French international off the pitch.

“We didn’t get to know him that well because he kept himself to himself,” Strachan tells FourFourTwo. “On the team bus, Eric would be looking out the window. Lesley and I took him to a rugby league match and he enjoyed that. He was a talent and, funnily enough, I first met him during a World Cup qualifier between France and Scotland. Andy Roxburgh said during the team talk, “They’ve got a poor man’s Joe Jordan up front.”