Eric Cantona accuses Sir Jim Ratcliffe of “destroying” Man Utd legacy in fresh attack

Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has launched a fresh attack on Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the current hierarchy, claiming they have ruined Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy

Eric Cantona has taken a fresh swipe at Sir Jim Ratcliffe, claiming the Manchester United chief “didn’t seem interested” at the Frenchman’s offer to help rebuild the club and that the current regime have “destroyed” Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy.

Cantona revealed earlier this year that he had previously offered to aid Ratcliffe in his bid to turn United around. Said offer was not taken up by the Ineos chief, though, who completed his purchase of a minority stake in the club back in 2024.

The former striker attacked Ratcliffe previously over redundancies at Old Trafford and even accused the club of “selling its soul”. And Cantona has now shed more light on why he offered to aid Ratcliffe and the Glazers and the former’s response.

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“I have many other passions and projects, but I thought that for two or three years I could maybe put those to the side and try to give something to this club, which has given everything to me,” Cantona said at a show on his one-man tour, per The Telegraph.

“But he didn’t seem interested. I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I tried my best. Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it.”

Ferguson had established United as the dominant domestic force before standing down from his role as manager in 2015. He then transitioned into an ambassadorial role with the club before it emerged Ratcliffe and Co were moving to terminate the Scot’s multi-million pound agreement.

Cantona pulled no punches with his take on such a move when he spoke back in the Spring as well as questioning behind Ratcliffe’s plans to build a new 100,000 seater stadium.

“I remember a dressing room with players and Sir Alex Ferguson,” he said. “All these people you don’t know helped us to feel at home and be in a family. It’s very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and team-mates.

“Since Ratcliffe arrived, it’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t want Sir Alex Ferguson as an ambassador any more. He is more than a legend and I think we have to find this soul again. This team of directors, they try to destroy everything. They don’t respect anybody. They even want to change the stadium.

“The stadium is iconic. For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury and I’m sure a lot of fans miss Highbury. It’s like when you go in a house and feel a special energy. Can you imagine Liverpool playing in another stadium than Anfield? It’s impossible. I don’t think United can play in another stadium than Old Trafford.

“But I think maybe we are dreamers and they are more like an economy and a strategy. I hate this kind of thing. I hate this kind of decision.”

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