Eric Cantona has hit out at the ‘lack of respect’ shown to Sir Alex Ferguson after the Manchester United legend had his ambassadorial contract terminated.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has been looking at ways to cut costs at United ever since buying a 27.7 per cent stake in the club back in February.
He took over football operations at United and brought in consultancy firm Interpath Advisory to review the club’s business and operational outgoings.
United staff were informed this past summer that 250 jobs would be slashed at the club in a bid to save around £10million a year.
Eric Cantona has jumped to the defence of Sir Alex Ferguson
PA
The club’s need to cut costs was made even more clear last month when they announced a £113m net loss for the financial year to June 2023.
That left them close to the Premier League’s £115m three-year loss limit, which would leave them at risk of a points penalty like Everton and Nottingham Forest were given last season.
Now Ferguson has been the latest victim to United’s cost-cutting measures with Ratcliffe informing the iconic manager personally last week.
The Scotsman was given an ambassadorial contract at United by the Glazer family after he resigned as manager in 2013.
His contract was reportedly worth £2.16m a year, but Ratcliffe seemingly felt the club were unable to continue paying the man who won them 13 Premier League titles.
Ferguson was said to have taken his contract termination ‘amicably’, but the news didn’t sit well with others.
Cantona has been left furious with the decision to axe Ferguson’s deal with the club and wants the board held to account.
He wrote: ” Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies.
Sir Alex Ferguson has had his Man Utd contract ripped upPA
“Such a lack of respect. It’s totally scandalous.
“Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!”
Cantona helped kickstart the Ferguson era at United after joining from Leeds in 1992.
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Sir Alex Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles during his time at Man UtdPA
He went on to help the Red Devils win four Premier League titles in five seasons, scoring 70 goals in 156 appearances.
Rio Ferdinand also feels Ratcliffe’s decision to terminate Ferguson’s contract is a sign that ‘no one is safe’ at the club.
He wrote on X: “If Sir Alex can be taken out, then NO ONE IS SAFE at @ManUtd – anyone can get it now. Ineos sending a message to ANYONE at the club?!?”