Former Liverpool boss Graeme Souness has sensationally claimed he could have signed a Manchester United icon.

Souness turned down the chance to sign Eric Cantona when he was at Auxerre in France.

The ex-Scotland and Reds midfielder turned manager could have secured Cantona before he ever came to the Premier League.

Souness told talkSPORT: “I'll tell you a story about Eric Cantona. I'm manager of Liverpool and we play Auxerre in the UEFA Cup.

'We lost 2-0 there and we came back and beat them 3-0. I was in my office and a guy called Terry Littlewood, who was in charge of security from my office, he controlled the corridor.

“He knocked on my door and said someone wants to come and see you. I said, "Who is it?" He said, "it's Michel Platini".

“So he came in and I've only ever played against him a few times and only ever tried to kick him.

“So I wasn't exactly his mate but he gave me a hug, kissed me on both cheeks, and ends up saying, 'I've got a player for you, he is perfect for you. He's a problem boy in France but he'd be great for your football club'."

The player in question was Cantona, but Souness passed on Platini's offer.

He also said: "Doesn't haunt me, no. Because at the time… Part of my job at Liverpool was to get the old brigade out and bring new ones in and I was having difficulties with the first part of that job."