Dion Dublin told Goals on Sunday that his injury led to Eric Cantona coming in and transforming Man Utd.
How Dion Dublin made way for an Old Trafford legend
Dion Dublin's loss was Manchester United's gain.
That's because his broken leg, just four games into his Old Trafford career, meant the arrival of none other than Eric Cantona.
At that point, United had not won the league since 1967, but once the flamboyant Frenchman arrived, that all changed and Sir Alex Ferguson's men were crowned champions that season, in 1993.
Today's current crop stand on the brink of a record 19th league title and Dublin is in no doubts that it was his misfortune, coupled with one of the canniest signings English football has seen, that transformed the club into what it is today.
"It started great," he told Goals on Sunday of his time at United.
"I think it was one of the first Monday night games shown on Sky and I scored on my debut; we won 1-0 against Southampton away.
"I had two more away games then it was my Old Trafford debut and 60 minutes it I got a tackle from behind and my left leg took as much weight as it could.
"It was the Ninja! He was known as the Ninja and he got me that day - Eric Young. My left leg just snapped and unfortunately I was out for eight months.
"They could have brought someone else in which would've helped me, to be honest! But they seemed to bring a genius (Cantona) in and he transformed Man United, I feel.
"With his presence, the way he came in just took them to another level. He was just incredible on the training pitch and he was great to me as well; he always tried to involve me.
"Sir Alex was great to me as well, which was nice, but it was what Man United needed, someone like Eric to come in and shake things up a little bit."
Dublin made a successful recovery from his broken leg, but his United career totalled just six starts following a £1million move from Cambridge United.
He was sold to Coventry for a 100 per cent profit in September 1994 and although United went on to dominate English football, insists he has no regrets,
"Sir Alex did say 'I'd rather you didn't leave' because at the time there was the three foreigners rule in Europe and he wanted to keep as many English players as possible," he said.
"He said he'd rather I did not leave but I know you're going to want to better your career.
"That's the kind of man he was; he knew how to manage individual personalities. He let me go and I went to Coventry."
Achieved
He spent four years at Coventry before a controversial move to Midlands rivals Aston Villa.
It was in the claret and blue that he really made a name for himself, although he admits that the club under-achieved given the talent they had on their books at the time.
And bringing it full circle, he believes the current players need to do something to change that - unless they can find a Cantona of their own.
"It was a great move," he said.
"I went from Coventry to Villa and had five-and-half years at Villa. We had some great players; we had (Paul) Merson, David James, Ugo Ehiogu, Gareth Southgate, but we didn't achieve anything there either.
"Since I signed, which was 1998 I think, and up until now they've still achieved nothing. It's sad for the fans, sad for the players and Villa have got to pull their socks up to be honest."