Think of your average lightweight flashy winger whose got the moves but not the end product. Flip that formulae and you’ve got Andrei Kanchelskis. His style of play wasn’t reliant on tricks and skills, but on raw power, pace and athleticism; which made him a perfect fit for Manchester United when they signed him from Shakhtar Donetsk in 1991.
He instantly impressed at Old Trafford with his supreme fitness and sublime shots with both feet, but didn’t get the consistent starts he deserved in his first two seasons with the club. However, Alex Ferguson assured him of his place in the team if he takes the chances given to him. Kanchelskis did and the results followed swiftly as the Red Devils won the double in 1993-94.
The following season he finished was United’s top scorer in their unsuccessful title defence, but Ferguson refused to play him near the end of the season after he handed in a transfer request.
Everton offered £5 million for him and made him their most expensive signing at the time. Continuing his trend of bombarding runs down the right side and powerful shots, he quickly became regarded as the best right winger in the league and gained much affection among the Everton supports; in large part due to his double at Anfield in a 0-2 win over bitter rivals Liverpool. His time wasn’t long there, as the Toffees looked to make profit on him and shipped him off to Fiorentina in Seria A.
Afterwards, he had various spells in different clubs. At Celtic he became the first and only play to this day to score in the Manchester, Merseyside and Glasgow derbies. Upon retirement, he went into management. That venture hasn’t been very successful so far. These days he can be found at Everton club events and appearances.
High point: Bagging the first hatrick in a Manchester derby in 30 years in a 5-0 wins over Manchester City at Old Trafford.
Low point: Dislocating his shoulder in one of his first games for Everton against his former club, Manchester United.
Nationality: Russian
Position: Right Winger
Goals Scored: 42
Total Appearances: 151
Yellow Cards: 3
Red Cards: 0
Premier League Teams Played for: Manchester United, Everton, Manchester City, Southampton