Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Eric Cantona has launched another blistering tirade at Manchester United owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe by doubling down on his criticism of the Red Devils’ hierarchy and accusing the petrochemical billionaire of ‘destroying’ Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy.
The Man United icon has never been hesitant to share his feelings about the club’s ownership group, first calling out Ratcliffe after Ferguson saw his ambassadorial role at the club axed in October 2024.
Earlier this year, Cantona derided the club’s owner for gutting United’s soul and even rubbished plans for a new £2billion ‘New Trafford’ which Ratcliffe hopes to build in place of their current home.
But in the midst of a tour for his one-man show, Cantona took the opportunity to hit out at the hierarchy once again, even alluding to his thwarted attempts to work with Ratcliffe and Co in an ambassadorial capacity.
‘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 told the audience, via Telegraph Sport.
But he didn’t seem interested. I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I tried my best.
Eric Cantona hit out at Sir Jim Ratcliffe as he accused the Man United owner of destroying Sir Alex Ferguson’s legacy
Ratcliffe is set to bring in wholesale changes including upgrading their Old Trafford home
Citing the achievements of his heavily decorated former manager, Cantona added: ‘Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it.’
The former France international turned actor spent four-and-a-half seasons at Man United under Ferguson at the very pinnacle of his career, earning iconic status among fans and the nickname ‘King Eric’.
Daily Mail Sport reported in 2024 that Cantona had been in discussion with Ineos over a potential ambassadorial role, and Ratcliffe had previously named Cantona as his favorite ever player.
The British tycoon even named the holding company used to invest £1.3bn in the club Trawlers Ltd, in a nod to Cantona’s famous seagulls quote.
But as those plans fell away, Cantona has been an outspoken critic of the new regime, and their plans for rehousing the club in particular.
United have proposed the building of a 100,000-seater stadium to upgrade Old Trafford, which is in desperate need of renovations – and Ratcliffe has spoken of the project becoming a ‘Wembley of the North’.
‘New Trafford’ would become the largest football stadium in Europe, and plans put together by Foster + Partners include scope for 17,000 new homes and transport upgrades as part of regeneration in the area.
The former France international played for a star-studded four-and-a-half seasons under Ferguson for the Red Devils
‘For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury, and I’m sure a lot of fans miss Highbury,’ Cantona argued in March.
It’s like when you go into 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.
I support United because I really love United. But now if I was a fan and I had to choose a club, I don’t think I would choose United because I don’t feel close to these kind of decisions. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so.’
