Soccer AM

Of all the players that could have come in, I mean what's the point in challenging for your place! He's got his collar up, he's cool and he was one of the best players in the world.

Dion Dublin on Eric Cantona
Quotes of the week

Dion Dublin told Soccer AM he was grateful for his time at Man Utd, despite being overshadowed by a certain Eric Cantona!

The former United, Coventry City and Aston Villa striker was happy to reminisce about his playing days after hanging up his boots at the end of last season.

After beginning his career with Norwich City Dublin quickly moved onto Cambridge United where he spent four seasons and scored 52 goals in 156 games.

His personal success on the pitch was mirrored by the clubs as John Beck took Cambridge from division four into division two in the space of just two seasons between 1990 and 1992, while also guiding them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup twice in same period.

United's success and Dublin's performances caught the eye of several top managers and in 1992 he moved to Manchester United after Beck sent a montage of Dublin's goals to Sir Alex Ferguson.

"I don't think Alex Ferguson had ever seen me play live, but I think he just had a look at (the montage) and liked what he saw," he said.

"I got a phone call from John Beck that said 'Dion Man Utd want to buy you' and it just didn't register for a good week!"

However, shortly after arriving at Old Trafford Dublin suffered a broken leg - forcing him to miss the majority of his first season in the top flight.

A certain Frenchman by the name of Eric Cantona later came in to replace him and Dublin revealed that he may as well have just given up on his chances to get back in the team there and then!

"There was just no way back, no way back! He changed Man Utd as a football club as well, it was incredible," he told Soccer AM.

"Of all the players that could have come in, I mean what's the point in challenging for your place! He's got his collar up, he's cool and he was one of the best players in the world."

Despite this blow Dublin, who later went on to forge a successful career with Aston Villa and Coventry City as well as represent England, admitted that he didn't regret his time with the Red Devils.

"In some ways it was a bit of a kick in the teeth," he said. "But in other ways I got to train with him and meet him so I got to learn off him."

"The players I played with at United were incredible. Bryan Robson for instance was probably the best midfield player that's ever lived in an England shirt."

Since bringing the curtain down on his career Dublin has joined the Sky Sports team as an expert pundit on the Premier League.

His last piece of action as a professional footballer took place at Hillsborough during Norwich City's match with Sheffield Wednesday and he revealed it was an emotional affair.

"I didn't expect it, but the Norwich fans were going to give me a good ovation," he said. "But 42,000 people stood up, the referee stopped the game, the press box stood up, the director's box stood up and it was just incredible.

"I'm just waiting for the DVD now to put in my collection!"