Match of the Day presenter Gary Lineker claimed that Sir Alex Ferguson treated a “truly exceptional” Manchester United legend differently from the rest of his players.
Ferguson ensured his position as United boss at Old Trafford was unchallenged by players and didn’t hesitate to move on footballers from the Premier League club.
The 82-year-old famously axed the likes of Roy Keane and Jaap Stam during his spell at Old Trafford, with Ferguson insisting that no player is bigger than United.
Ferguson’s 26-year reign at United also saw strong characters emerge and Gary Neville revealed that the Scotsman relied on locker-room leaders at Old Trafford.
However, even the ex-Red Devils boss would make exceptions for some players at United, with Ferguson previously claiming he managed four world-class players.
Lineker recalled one famous example where Ferguson treated one legendary former player “very differently” from the others in the United dressing room.
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Lineker on Ferguson’s ‘maverick’ at United
Ferguson was all about bringing the best in class to United and the iconic Scot did exactly that when he signed Eric Cantona from Leeds United in 1992.
The former Aberdeen manager was in awe at the legendary Frenchman’s brilliance and Cantona made a remarkable impact during his prolific spell at Old Trafford.
Cantona, who was a £1m acquisition for United, lifted four Premier League titles and two FA Cups with the club before his shock retirement in 1997 at the age of 30.
Lineker insisted that “exceptions” to the rules are made when it comes to “exceptional” players after he brought up Ferguson’s treatment of United legend Cantona.
Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, he said: “I think famously Sir Alex Ferguson treated [Eric] Cantona very differently.
“Well, even to himself he said, ‘He was a maverick,’ but he recognised how important he was for the team.
“So, I think you might make exceptions against your rules for the truly exceptional footballer.”
Alan Shearer reacts to Lineker’s claim
United legend Ryan Giggs told beIN Sports in 2020 that Cantona was among the former Red Devils teammates who were treated differently by Ferguson.
Ferguson hailed the 57-year-old ex-France international’s lasting legacy at United, with the Scotsman saying in 2023 that Cantona “transformed” the club.
Shearer agreed with Lineker’s assessment, but the Premier League legend added that a player can’t constantly be “late for training or for matches or for whatever.”
Responding to Lineker, he added: “I agree. I totally, totally, totally agree with that.
“In terms of dress, you can get away with that. But I think the one thing you can’t get away with is a player constantly being late for training or for matches or for whatever.
“Bobby Robson used to say, didn’t he, ‘Late for a tackle, son, you cost me my f*****g job.’”
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