Former Man UTD captain Eric Cantona blows up club ownership at a fan event.
Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona has accused co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his eu of destroying the Old Trafford Club.
British billionaire Ratcliffe has endured turbulent spells since he took charge of United’s soccer business after buying minority stakes in February 2024.
The owner of INEOS fired boss Eric Ten Hag and replaced him with Reuben Amorim.
Boyhood United fan Ratcliffe has launched plans to raise ticket prices, take on dramatic cost-cutting measures, lose around 450 jobs and build a new 100,000-capacity stadium.
After helping the club end the long wait to win the English title in 1993, Cantona is not impressed with Ratcliffe’s impact on the former team.
“Since Ratcliffe arrived, this managerial team has tried to destroy everything and no one respects,” Cantona told reporters at an event at FC United.
“They even want to change the stadium. The soul of the team and club is not in the players. All the people around them are like a large family. It’s very important to respect these people like you and your managers and teammates.
“I’ve been completely against that since Ratcliffe arrived. He doesn’t want Sir Alex Ferguson anymore as ambassador. He’s more than a legend and I think we have to find this soul again.”
Former French striker Cantona, who signed up to become the co-owner of FC United, spent five years at United after Alex Ferguson signed him from Leeds and won four Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
The 58-year-old thinks leaving Old Trafford is a major mistake, as the club’s soul is tied to the stadium that has been its home since 1910.
“This managerial team, they’re trying to destroy everything. They don’t respect anyone. They even want to change the stadium. The stadium is iconic,” he said.
“For me, Arsenal lost his soul when he left Highbury. I’m sure many fans missed Highbury. I don’t think United can play in another stadium than Old Trafford.”
Cantona, who currently works as an actor, revealed in 2013 that she offered to help rebuild the club, which has not won the Premier League since Alex Ferguson’s final season.
“I will be filming the film until the end of October this year,” he said. “But I said to them, ‘I can put it aside and concentrate and help you rebuild something.’ And they don’t care.
“It’s sad to see United in this kind of situation. They decided on something else. They have another strategy, another project.
“I support United because I really love United, but if I’m a fan now and had to choose a club, I wouldn’t think I would choose United.
“We are dreamers and I think owners are like economics and strategy. I hate this kind of thing. I hate this kind of decision.”
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