During our coffee chat—an espresso for Andrei—we discussed his career at United and football in general.
He acknowledged the swirling rumors and speculation about his unexpected departure in 1995, expressing ongoing frustration that injuries significantly shortened his time at Old Trafford. Missing the 1995 FA Cup final against Everton, who would soon become his employers, still stings. Throughout the 1994/95 season, he played through pain and discomfort, which clearly affected his performance.
Andrei was one of three notable exits that summer, alongside Paul Ince and Mark Hughes, a move that shocked fans. I made sure to emphasize how fondly he is remembered by supporters. He reciprocated the sentiment, still passionately engaged with United and proud of his contributions during Sir Alex Ferguson’s era (though it’s worth noting that while Andrei Junior supports Everton, his daughter is a diehard Red!).
Reflecting on his time, he noted that every team had its standout players back then, effortlessly listing names of peers he admired, such as Matt Le Tissier and Gianfranco Zola. He passionately spoke about the importance of wingers and mentioned how he would stay late after training to perfect his crossing, striving to meet Ferguson’s high standards.
This dedication was no burden for Kanchelskis. He believed that his smooth transition into English football stemmed from his experience playing in a similar system under the legendary Russian coach Valery Lobanovsky.
