Marcus Rashford needs to be saved from himself – Sir Alex would know how to do that

ERIC CANTONA often has to wonder what would have become of him had it not been for Sir Alex Ferguson.

He certainly would never have transformed from a brooding French maverick into a cult hero at Manchester United.

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If anything, Fergie's support only increased his stature after that infamous kung fu kick attack at Selhurst Park, an unlawful but instinctive retaliation sparked by a Crystal Palace boy's foul-mouthed insult to his mother.

In the current climate at Old Trafford, manager Erik ten Hag would probably not have gambled on someone like Cantona, who joined from Leeds in 1992.

And if he had been there in 1995, he, or at least the club's hierarchy, would probably have chased Cantona out of United because he was found guilty of assault and given a two-week prison sentence, although that sentence was later overturned on appeal destroyed.

Now ETH faces a make-or-break call on Marcus Rashford, with its 26-year-old wandering star staring at more disciplinary action.

Ferguson often saw situations like this and he came down like a ton of bricks on those who got him in trouble.

Ryan Giggs found out just that once when a furious Fergie stormed into Lee Sharpe's house while the teenage teammates were having a drink before a night out.

The pair never forgot the flogging they received and Giggs, now 50, still shudders at the thought of it.

Fergie's word was final when it came to punishment and he could be a tough man when trying to get his act together again. But when it came to real issues, when real understanding of a player's problems was needed, Ferguson was almost always there to help.

Few, if any, could do the arm around the shoulder better than him. Maybe it worked so well because it was the opposite of its normal, terrifying reputation.

No one needed the human touch more than Cantona, who had haplessly wandered through six French clubs before ending up at Elland Road and then the Theater of Dreams.

Teammates reported that he never met their eyes when he first got there, that he was so quiet that he became shy.

But Ferguson saw the genius in him and gave him the voice to express himself.

Most importantly, Fergie stood by him in his true need, taking a ride through the streets of Paris on the back of a motorcycle to pick him up at a largely deserted restaurant to persuade the star to stay at United.

As he later revealed, “Those hours I spent in Eric's company added up to one of the more valuable acts I've done in this stupid job of mine.”

Ten Hag has had a lot to do with what he called the “not a good culture” he found within the team when he became boss in 2022.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho were all problems and they are all gone. Rashford could now be too.

But the boy from Wythenshawe, who became a homegrown star and national hero with an MBE for his charity work in aid of disadvantaged children, certainly needs saving – and, it seems, from himself.

Sir Alex knew how to do that, because he used the carrot as often as he used the stick.

He is also still in the building. Although his hairdryer has been put away for a long time.

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