Martin Edwards asked Ferguson about Cantona's reputation for tempestuousness, which had been fostered by reports of fights with team-mates as well as angry gestures to fans and, ably eleven months earlier, insults delivered to the faces of the French Football Federation officials who had disciplined him, after which he had announced his retirement from the game at the age of 25. Ferguson replied that Gérard Houllier, the French national team manager at the time, had recently tipped him off about Cantona, stressing that he was a far easier professional to handle than those reports might suggest, and a talent worth making allowances for.
Houllier's word was good enough for Ferguson. The deal was on. The transfer costed £1.3 million.
Cantona was to make United champions that very season.
He was to help them claim four titles in five seasons.
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