Sir Alex Ferguson's epic reaction to Eric Cantona's 'kung-fu kick' sums up his managerial style

28 years ago, at Selhurst Park, Eric Cantona infamously kung-fu kicked a Crystal Palace fan, who was hurling abuse his way after the Manchester United star was sent off.

And one of his teammates on that night, Lee Sharpe, has hilariously recalled the scene in the dressing room following the 1-1 draw.

Even though he had stepped out of line, Sir Alex Ferguson didn't give his talisman the hairdryer treatment.

Instead, he went after the likes of Sharpe himself, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and Gary Pallister.

Speaking in a video, Sharpe said: "There's benches in the middle of the room with shirts and balls to be signed.

"Cups of tea and plates of sandwiches. They're sent fucking flying everywhere.

"We're getting scalded and getting egg sandwiches down the back of our necks. We look at each other, thinking, 'F**king hell, Cantona is getting it here!'"

He added: "And then he starts, the manager. F**king Pallister, you can't head anything, you can't tackle. Incey, where the f**k have you been? Sharpey, my grandmother runs f**king faster than you! ... You're all a f**king disgrace.

"Nine o'clock, tomorrow morning, I'm going to run your f**king balls off in training. F**king shocking. And Eric... you can't go round doing things like that son'."

Cantona was subsequently banned for nine months and Man United went on to lose the title to Blackburn Rovers on the final day.

Eric Cantona at a press conference with Sir Alex Ferguson following his kung-fu kick. Image: Alamy

The Frenchman, though, made his return in triumphant fashion the following season by scoring a penalty against Liverpool at Old Trafford and earning a draw against their fierce rivals.

He was only a Man United player for five seasons and retired from the game at the age of 30, but he's still absolutely adored by the red half of Manchester, having scored 80 goals for the club, producing endless amounts of individual brilliance as well as lifting four Premier League titles.

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