The memories of players who were once flamboyant and extravagant sometimes fall victim to time, with some forgetting their incredible achievements. One such star was Andrei Kanchelskis.
The Russian winger had a memorable, eventful career that spanned a period of 20 years. He won trophies in England, Scotland, and even Saudi Arabia, using his blistering pace to light up crowds wherever he went.
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While he represented some major clubs such as Fiorentina, Rangers, Everton, Southampton, Al Hilal, as well as spending a brief period at Manchester City, he is most renowned for his four-year stint at Manchester United.
It all began for him in Ukraine, where he got promoted from the youth side at Zirka. He then moved to Dynamo Kiev, where he spent two years, before joining Shakhtar Donetsk for a season. He was a relative unknown before being picked up by the Red Devils. It is said Sir Alex Ferguson watched a video of him playing for Russia's U21 side, although Kanchelskis would win the 1990 UEFA European Under-21 Championship with the Soviet Union.
Making the move to Old Trafford was a massive turning point in his career, and he joined at a time when Liverpool were still among the heavyweights of English football. During his spell in Manchester, however, "Fergie" began building a team to knock their rivals off their perch. Kanchelskis represented the Red Devils from 1991 to 1995, but the team during the 1993/94 campaign seems to have a special place in the former winger's heart.
"Every player was a brilliant player, it was a great team, an excellent team," he has previously told MUTV.
The side consisted of, among others, Peter Schmeichel, Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister at the heart of the defence, Denis Irwin, Roy Keane, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Eric Cantona, Mark Hughes, Paul Ince and, of course, the Russian himself.
"We played more relaxed, because everyone was scared of Manchester United. We play away or at home, it doesn't matter, we knew if we concentrated we could win every game, it's no problem for us," he added.
His time at the Manchester club was memorable. Not only because he once, accidentally, called Ferguson a "Scottish bas***d" – according to Manchester Evening News – after being advised to do so by his new teammates who saw an opportunity for humour, but also because of the trophies he accumulated during his time at Old Trafford.
He won two Premier League titles, one UEFA Super Cup, one FA Cup, and one League Cup. In total, he played 158 matches for the Red Devils, scoring 36 goals and collecting 15 assists. After his time at United, the now-manager of Muras United FC moved to Everton, then Fiorentina and then Rangers.
Another successful period in his career came during his time at the Scottish giants. While representing the Gers, the ex-forward won an array of trophies. With his help, the side emerged triumphant in two league campaigns, going "invincible" in one of them. He also won three Scottish Cups, as well as two league cups. He netted 17 times in 106 appearances as he terrorised defences in the league. It was during this period with Rangers, whom he represented from 1998 to 2002, that he spent a brief loan stint at Manchester City, making just 11 appearances for the side and registering a goal and an assist from January to May 2001.
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What followed after departing the Gers were short stints at Southampton and Saudi Arabian club Al Hilal before he decided to return to Russia, where he played for three clubs: Saturn Ramenskoe, FC Dynamo Moscow 2, and KS Samara, which would the club he decided to retire at.
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