Former Man Utd captain Eric Cantona blasts membership possession at fan occasion.
Former Manchester United star Eric Cantona has accused co-owner Jim Ratcliffe and his lieutenants of destroying the Previous Trafford membership.
British billionaire Ratcliffe has endured a turbulent spell since taking cost of United’s soccer operations after buying a minority share in February 2024.
The INEOS proprietor has sacked boss Erik ten Hag and changed him with Ruben Amorim, with little enchancment because the workforce languishes in thirteenth place within the Premier League.
Ratcliffe, a boyhood United fan, has additionally raised ticket costs and undertook drastic cost-cutting measures, leading to about 450 misplaced jobs, whereas launching a plan to construct a brand new 100,000-capacity stadium.
A United legend after serving to the membership finish their lengthy wait to win the English title in 1993, Cantona isn’t impressed with Ratcliffe’s influence on his former workforce.
“Since Ratcliffe arrived, this workforce of administrators attempt to destroy the whole lot and so they don’t respect anyone,” Cantona advised reporters throughout an occasion at FC United, the non-league workforce began by followers in 2005 as a response to the controversial takeover by the Glazer household, who stay the bulk shareholders.
“They even wish to change the stadium. The soul of the workforce and the membership isn’t within the gamers. All of the folks round is sort of a huge household. It’s essential to respect these folks such as you respect your supervisor and teammates.
“Since Ratcliffe arrived, it’s the exact opposite. He doesn’t need Sir Alex Ferguson as an envoy any extra. He’s greater than a legend and I believe we’ve got to seek out this soul once more.”
Former France striker Cantona, who has signed as much as turn into an FC United co-owner, spent 5 years at United after Alex Ferguson signed him from Leeds, successful 4 Premier League titles and two FA Cups.
The 58-year-old believes leaving Previous Trafford could be a giant mistake, as a result of the soul of the membership is tied to the stadium that has been its residence since 1910.
“This workforce of administrators, they attempt to destroy the whole lot. They don’t respect anyone. They even wish to change the stadium. The stadium is iconic,” he mentioned.
“For me, Arsenal misplaced their soul once they left Highbury, and I’m positive a whole lot of followers miss Highbury. I don’t assume United can play in one other stadium than Previous Trafford.”
Cantona, who now works as an actor, revealed he supplied to assist Ratcliffe rebuild a membership that has not gained the Premier League since Alex Ferguson’s last season in cost in 2013.
“Till the tip of October this 12 months, I’ll shoot films,” he mentioned. “However I mentioned to them, ‘I can put that apart and focus and allow you to to rebuild one thing’. They usually don’t care.
“I really feel unhappy to see United in this sort of state of affairs. They determined one thing else. They’ve one other technique, one other mission.
“I assist United as a result of I actually love United, however now, if I used to be a fan and I had to decide on a membership, I don’t assume I’d select United. As a result of I don’t really feel shut to those type of choices.
“I believe possibly we’re dreamers and the homeowners are extra like an financial system and a technique. I hate this sort of factor. I hate this sort of resolution.”
