Eric Cantona Slams Jim Ratcliffe's Ownership of Manchester United, Calls it Destructive
Eric Cantona, a legendary figure in Manchester United’s history, has expressed his strong disapproval of the club's current ownership under Sir Jim Ratcliffe. In a recent event with FC United, a club born out of the frustration towards the Glazers' ownership of Manchester United, Cantona did not hold back in his criticism of Ratcliffe and his team.
Cantona, who made 185 appearances for United between 1992 and 1997, pointed out that since Ratcliffe’s INEOS Group acquired a 27.7% stake in United in February 2024, the club has been heading in the wrong direction. Ratcliffe, who now controls United's football operations, has made several controversial moves, including raising ticket prices and making cuts to staff, all in a bid to improve the club’s financial situation. Ratcliffe defended these actions in a recent interview, claiming the club was on the brink of running out of cash without such drastic measures.
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However, Cantona has been vocal about how these decisions are damaging the soul of the club. "Since Ratcliffe arrived, this team of directors is trying to destroy everything, and they don’t respect anybody," he said. "It’s heartbreaking to see Manchester United in this state. I love the club, but if I were a fan today, I wouldn’t choose United. It’s not the same anymore."
One of the most significant issues for Cantona is the ongoing changes to Old Trafford, the club's iconic stadium. Ratcliffe has been pushing for a new £2 billion, 100,000-capacity stadium near Old Trafford, a move that Cantona strongly opposes. "The stadium is iconic," he stated. "For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury, and I’m sure Liverpool fans can’t imagine their team playing anywhere other than Anfield. It would be the same for United. Old Trafford is the heart and soul of this club."
Cantona also expressed his dismay at the decision to phase out Sir Alex Ferguson, United’s legendary manager, as a global ambassador. Ferguson, who led the team to 13 Premier League titles, is a symbol of the club’s golden era. According to Cantona, removing Ferguson from such a prominent role shows a lack of respect for the club’s history. “Sir Alex is more than a legend, and I believe United needs to respect its past and its people. This isn’t just about players—it’s about the entire club, the family that’s been built around it,” he added.
The Frenchman also shared his personal frustration, revealing that he had offered to help guide United back to its former glory. "I told them I could put aside my acting career to help rebuild the club, but they didn’t care," Cantona revealed. This deepened his sense of sadness, as he believes that the current ownership and its approach are driven more by economics than a genuine love for the club. "It’s all about strategies and finances. I hate that. I want something more," he said.
Cantona’s comments reflect a growing discontent among some Manchester United fans, who feel disconnected from the club’s current direction. Despite his critiques, Cantona's passion for United remains clear. He still supports the club, but the decisions under Ratcliffe's leadership have left him questioning whether Manchester United is still the club he once loved.
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