Man Utd asked for Chapman, Leeds gave them Cantona

dev1l

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Ridsdale: Man Utd asked for Chapman, Leeds gave them Cantona
tribalfootball.com - October 31, 2007

Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson wanted to sign Lee Chapman ahead of then Leeds striker Eric Cantona, it has been revealed.

Click here to find out more!
In his new book, 'United We Fall', being serialised in The Sun, former Leeds chairman Peter Ridsdale wrote that Ferguson did not hesitate to swoop when the Frenchman was sold by Leeds following a bust-up with boss Howard Wilkinson, who dropped him for a match at QPR.

Ridsdale said: "I was in the team hotel. Howard was the other side of some double doors dropping his bombshell.

"The next thing I heard was a clatter %u2014 perhaps a chair going over %u2014 and a single door flew open banging against a wall. Cantona stormed out in a whirlwind of red mist.

"He went to Paris instead of Loftus Road and his days with Leeds were numbered.

"Two games later he was sold to United.

"They had asked about Lee Chapman but were offered Cantona instead. They must have done cartwheels.

"Our fans felt betrayed %u2014 selling Cantona to our title rivals was tantamount to swapping religions."

http://www.tribalfootball.com/article.php?id=62899
 
:lol:

Chapman would have been better....

According to Cascarino's book, we were close to signing him as well. That would have been a dream paring; Chapman and Cascarino!

:D
 
To think we could of got a wife-beater.

(Mind, she changed her looks from a stunner to a grupper)!
 
And in the 80's Ron Atkinson was tempted in a part-exchange involving Shilton and Bailey...

And let's not forget our own Bosnich...
 
That's not how I heard it went down.

I heard the United chairman was on the phone with Leeds who were asking about Dennis Irwin. Ofcourse Irwin wasn't for sale, but Sir Alex was in the office at the time the conversation went on, and he took a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled: "Ask about Cantona", and held it up to the chairman's face.
The rest is history.
 
Maroon Lucifer said:
That's not how I heard it went down.

I heard the United chairman was on the phone with Leeds who were asking about Dennis Irwin. Ofcourse Irwin wasn't for sale, but Sir Alex was in the office at the time the conversation went on, and he took a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled: "Ask about Cantona", and held it up to the chairman's face.
The rest is history.
Click to expand...

Yup - Fegies told that story in the past and I'd believe him over Ridsdale any day.
 
Maroon Lucifer said:
That's not how I heard it went down.

I heard the United chairman was on the phone with Leeds who were asking about Dennis Irwin. Ofcourse Irwin wasn't for sale, but Sir Alex was in the office at the time the conversation went on, and he took a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled: "Ask about Cantona", and held it up to the chairman's face.
The rest is history.
Click to expand...

That story is pure class.
 
Maroon Lucifer said:
That's not how I heard it went down.

I heard the United chairman was on the phone with Leeds who were asking about Dennis Irwin. Ofcourse Irwin wasn't for sale, but Sir Alex was in the office at the time the conversation went on, and he took a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled: "Ask about Cantona", and held it up to the chairman's face.
The rest is history.
Click to expand...

A common tactic when prices ain't fixed. Don't ask about your main target until later in the hope that when you do ask about it the price will be lower.
 
I would love to be a fly on the wall that day. Imagine, Leeds might only have agreed to discuss Cantona in the hope of an exchange deal with Irwin.
 
Maroon Lucifer said:
That's not how I heard it went down.

I heard the United chairman was on the phone with Leeds who were asking about Dennis Irwin. Ofcourse Irwin wasn't for sale, but Sir Alex was in the office at the time the conversation went on, and he took a piece of paper and a pen and scribbled: "Ask about Cantona", and held it up to the chairman's face.
The rest is history.
Click to expand...
Yep, I heard that story before. Never heard about this Lee Chapman bloke though. Once I read the thread title, I'm thinking of the other Chapman :nervous:
 
midfieldred said:
Yep, I heard that story before. Never heard about this Lee Chapman bloke though. Once I read the thread title, I'm thinking of the other Chapman :nervous:
Click to expand...

Never heard of Lee Chapman?

You need to read more football history, boyo.
 
midfieldred said:
Yep, I heard that story before. Never heard about this Lee Chapman bloke though. Once I read the thread title, I'm thinking of the other Chapman :nervous:
Click to expand...

Lee Chapman was one of Leeds' key players when they won the league in 1992.
 
the story I heard dont know if it was true but its more interesting.
Dion Dublin broke his leg we where looking for a striker,
Sir Alex rings looking for Chapman,apparantly Eric was shagging
Chapmans wife and this was causing trouble in the dressing room
with most of the players siding with Chapman.
Wilkinson desperate to sort out the tension said 'no you cant have
Chapman, but you can have Cantona'. thus the ridiculous low fee we
paid.
as I said dont know if its true but it makes a better story.
 
sligo-red said:
the story I heard dont know if it was true but its more interesting.
Dion Dublin broke his leg we where looking for a striker,
Sir Alex rings looking for Chapman,apparantly Eric was shagging
Chapmans wife and this was causing trouble in the dressing room
with most of the players siding with Chapman.
Wilkinson desperate to sort out the tension said 'no you cant have
Chapman, but you can have Cantona'. thus the ridiculous low fee we
paid.
as I said dont know if its true but it makes a better story.
Click to expand...

no it doesn't
 
The Cantona shagging Lesley Ash story was made up by Lids fans after he left to soften the blow that he'd left for the worst possible club he could have.
 
sligo-red said:
the story I heard dont know if it was true but its more interesting.
Dion Dublin broke his leg we where looking for a striker,
Sir Alex rings looking for Chapman,apparantly Eric was shagging
Chapmans wife and this was causing trouble in the dressing room
with most of the players siding with Chapman.
Wilkinson desperate to sort out the tension said 'no you cant have
Chapman, but you can have Cantona'. thus the ridiculous low fee we
paid.
as I said dont know if its true but it makes a better story.
Click to expand...


I reckon that's about right - only difference is: Leeds phoned Fergie re: Irwin - Fergie said "no deal" and then the above ensued.
 
I know that Fergie tried for Mick Harford from Luton in spring 1992. He was like a dark haired chapman.
If anyone wants to remember how 'good' the wife beater was, then try seeing Sky's Football years show of 1991-92. He used to score the scruffiest goals.
 
Chapman; married, yet very gay

leslieashhospitalPA280404_300x450.jpg
 
EZee said:
isnt that erics bit on the side ;)
Click to expand...

Eric stuck one up her bum, Lee became jealous.
Of Leslie or Eric, it's not sure, but that's one of the myths why he left Leeds so freely
 
Johnno said:
Eric stuck one up her bum, Lee became jealous.
Of Leslie or Eric, it's not sure, but that's one of the myths why he left Leeds so freely
Click to expand...

I know... strange to think how Uniteds rejuvination owes a lot to the trout pout sluts inability to remain faithfull... allegedly
 
EZee said:
I know... strange to think how Uniteds rejuvination owes a lot to the trout pout sluts inability to remain faithfull... allegedly
Click to expand...

one of the original songs for Eric in late 1992;

"He's French, he's flash, he's shaggin' Leslie Ash, Cantona, Cantona!"
 
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