10 Failed Transfers That Would Have Changed English Football

10. David Hirst To Manchester United

Eric Cantona was the most important signing in the modern history of Manchester United. The Gallic genius was the catalyst for the club's dominant era in the 90's after he signed from Leeds in November 1992. But did you know the Frenchman wasn't Fergie's first choice for a new striker? Had he got the man he really wanted, it could have all been so different. That man was Sheffield Wednesday's David Hirst, who can make a claim to being the most underrated English striker of the 80's and 90's. Hirst was the proto-Shearer, not the tallest but good in the air, strong, able to score poacher's goals and long range thunderbolts with both feet. United made a first move for the three-time England international in the summer of 1992, but a £3m bid (a huge sum at the time) was turned down by the Owls. In November of the same year, with the Red Devils' title charge flagging due to a paucity of goals, Ferguson again returned with a bid for the Wednesday talisman but was turned away once more. Soon after, Leeds boss Howard Wilkinson made an enquiry about the availability of United left back Denis Irwin. Irwin was not for sale, but Ferguson asked his opposite number about the availability of Cantona. A bargain £1m fee was agreed, and the rest is history - United went on to become the dominant force in English football and Leeds United failed to win another top flight league title. Hirst, meanwhile, continued to bang in the goals for Wednesday and Southampton until injury curtailed his career at the age of just 32.