Souness : I turned down Cantona Offer

Former Anfield Legend Greame Souness says he turned down the chance to sign Eric Cantona while manager of the Anfield side.

The offer to buy the French star came in 1991 after Liverpool's UEFA Cup victory over Auxerre. But Souness told Platini he did not want any ''problem players''.

The ex-Liverpool boss told Liverpool's official website: ''Michel Platini said he had a player for me, a player who'd had some problems back in France but who would love to come and play for Liverpool.

''That player was Eric Cantona. But at that time we didn't really need any more problems, so that was one that got away."

Just months after being turned down by Souness, Cantona joined Leeds United, then Manchester United.

Asked if he now regretted his decision in snubbing the chance to take Cantona to Merseyside, Souness said: "When you think of what he went on to do, then yes most definitely."