Sir Alex Ferguson has paid tribute to old rival Kevin Keegan for assembling a 'very good team' at Newcastle United but the Manchester United legend believes the 'Cantona effect' proved the difference in a thrilling title race in 1996.
Newcastle were 12 points clear of Manchester United at one point, but the Red Devils' title-winning experience ultimately told as Sir Alex's side overhauled the Magpies' lead.
Cantona played a crucial role in that turnaround and the Frenchman scored the only goal in five 1-0 victories between January and March to put Manchester United in command.
Sir Alex later got under Keegan's skin after the Red Devils narrowly defeated Leeds at Old Trafford before Newcastle were due to face Howard Wilkinson's side 12 days later.
Sir Alex suggested the Leeds players were 'cheating' their manager by raising their game against the league leaders and said 'you wait and see the difference' when they play Newcastle.
Keegan had also been angered by suggestions that the outcome of Newcastle's penultimate league fixture against Nottingham Forest could be influenced by the black-and-whites agreeing to play in Stuart Pearce's testimonial at the City Ground less than a week later.
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The Newcastle boss went on to make his feelings clear in an iconic post-match interview after the Magpies beat Leeds at Elland Road and declared: "We're still fighting for this title and he's got to go to Middlesbrough and get something and I tell you, honestly, I will love it if we beat them. Love it!"
Manchester United ultimately held their nerve and Sir Alex has looked back on that unforgettable title race while promoting his new Amazon documentary.
"Kevin and that team he developed, they were a good side," Sir Alex told British GQ. "They were a very good team.
"That year, I think, they were 11 points ahead of us at one point but I think the Cantona effect on our team was great at that time.
"He was fantastic and the team was developing really well so I wasn't afraid of anyone."
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