Signing Info:
Loaned From FC Grondins Bordeaux, 12,1996
Previous Clubs:
Auxerre, Olympique Marseille, FC Grondins Bordeaux
Debut:
30/12/1995 v Queens Park Rangers (H) 2-1 (Premiership)
Farewell:
End of loan from Returned to FC Grondins Bordeaux, 1996
Passed Away:
Biography
William Prunier is a former French international defender whose Manchester United career lasted only two competitive matches, yet his brief spell at Old Trafford has become one of the more unusual stories of the Sir Alex Ferguson era.
Born on 14 August 1967 in Montreuil, France, Prunier developed through the highly regarded youth system at AJ Auxerre. A strong and technically accomplished central defender, he established himself in Auxerre's first team during the 1980s and went on to make more than 200 league appearances for the club. His performances also took him through the French youth international ranks and eventually into the senior national side.
Prunier won his only senior France cap on 26 August 1992, starting against Brazil at the Parc des Princes in Paris. He played the full 90 minutes as France were defeated 2–0.
After leaving Auxerre in 1993, Prunier joined Marseille before moving to Bordeaux, where he played alongside future French great Zinedine Zidane. By the end of 1995 his situation had changed, and an opportunity arose for him to travel to England and train with Manchester United.
United were experiencing a severe defensive injury crisis over the Christmas period, with established centre-backs including Steve Bruce, Gary Pallister and David May unavailable. Sir Alex Ferguson therefore gave Prunier an opportunity to prove himself at Old Trafford.
His Manchester United debut came against Queens Park Rangers at Old Trafford on 30 December 1995. Prunier started in central defence in a youthful United side and completed the match as goals from Andy Cole and Ryan Giggs secured a 2–1 Premier League victory.
The performance was encouraging enough for Prunier to retain his place just two days later. On 1 January 1996, he started away to Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane. This time the afternoon was considerably more difficult, with United suffering a 4–1 defeat. It proved to be Prunier's second and final competitive appearance for the club.
Prunier therefore finished his Manchester United career with the unusual record of two appearances, one victory and one defeat, playing every minute of both matches.
Although his stay was extremely short, Prunier happened to represent United during a historic season. Ferguson's young side recovered from their winter difficulties to overhaul Newcastle United and win the 1995/96 Premier League title, before completing the Double by defeating Liverpool in the FA Cup Final.
After his experiment in Manchester ended, Prunier continued a remarkably varied playing career across Europe. He subsequently represented FC Copenhagen, Montpellier, Napoli and Kortrijk, before returning to France with Toulouse. He enjoyed a lengthy spell with Toulouse and was part of the club that won promotion as Ligue 2 champions in 2002/03. He later played in Qatar before ending his professional playing career in 2004.
Prunier subsequently moved into coaching and management in France, working with a number of clubs after his playing days had ended.
For Manchester United supporters, however, William Prunier will forever be associated with those extraordinary few days over Christmas and New Year 1995/96. Arriving as an experienced French defender during an injury crisis, he was suddenly placed into the heart of United's defence, won on his debut and disappeared from the first team following his second appearance.
His two-match Manchester United career may have been one of the shortest of the Ferguson era, but its unusual circumstances have ensured that William Prunier remains a memorable name in the club's long history.
