English football has always had its rivalries. Where there is champion, there is a challenger. With over a century of history, it had rarely been the case that two of the most successful teams were competing at the same time. That was the case towards the end of the 20th century.

Manchester United and Arsenal competed against each other for a generation, but it was under Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger when competition became an interchangable word for tribal warfare.

Years of mounting tension finally erupted just after the turn of century when a series of matches at Old Trafford became progressively more hostile. It all culminated in a showdown at Highbury in February 2005.

The conclusion was epic. But so was the journey. This is the unheard story of the greatest rivalry in Premier League history.

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Few footballers have had a transformative impact to compare with that of Eric Cantona at Manchester United. When he arrived at Old Trafford from Leeds United, the club were still licking their wounds after passing 25 years without a league title - ironically, marking the occasion by coming agonisingly close in a battle with Cantona’s then-club.

In November 1992, the relationship between Cantona and Leeds manager Howard Wilkinson had deteriorated. Cantona had scored the Premier League’s first-ever hat-trick, and his immense talent was not in doubt - but his discipline was. Wilkinson had brought Cantona to Leeds as recently as January after the Frenchman had been effectively thrown out of his domestic league. The Leeds manager was known as Sergeant Wilko for a reason; however, so too was Eric nicknamed Enfant terrible.

Wilkinson found himself with an unexpected solution when he attempted to strengthen his defence. He needed a full-back, so asked his chairman Bill Fotherby to enquire whether Manchester United would allow Denis Irwin to return to Elland Road. United chairman Martin Edwards said no - but, after a brief discussion with Alex Ferguson, made a counter- offer. Could Manchester United sign Eric Cantona? A deal was swiftly agreed. Leeds felt they were losing a troublemaker. The world of football felt Ferguson was taking a gamble he could ill afford.

Written by Wayne Barton. Narrated by Patrick Barclay. Produced by Ed Barker, Studio 1878.

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