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Eric Cantona launches furious attack on Man Utd chief Jim Ratcliffe and accuses Ineos of ‘trying to destroy everything’

Published on April 10, 2025 at 12:06 PM

ERIC CANTONA claims Manchester United has lost its soul as he signed his whole family up as shareholders in rebel club FC United.

The French legend was back in town at the weekend and took in the disappointing goalless derby against City.

Eric Cantona at Old Trafford.
Eric Cantona launched a stinging attack on Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Ineos CEO and Manchester United shareholder.
The minority Manchester United owner has come under fire throughout his tenure

But he also made his feelings known by agreeing to become a – while acquiring shares for his four children and two brothers.

Cantona fired another blast at new co-owner for some of the decisions he has made since he moved into the club early last year.

He claims the Ineos owner and his team are trying to “destroy everything” and blasted the .

, 58, said: “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.

“For me, that is very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and your team-mates.

“I think since Ratcliffe arrived it’s the complete opposite and this team of directors they try to destroy everything and they don’t respect anybody.

“They even want to change the stadium.

“The soul of the team and the club is not in the players. All the people around is like a big family.

“I don’t feel close to these kind of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so.”

Cantona – who spent five glittering years at Old Trafford – says it is almost unrecognisable now from the club he knew.

He said: “I remember a dressing room with players and Sir Alex Ferguson, all these people you don‘t know who helped us to feel at home and be in a family.

“I think it’s very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and teammates.

“Since Ratcliffe arrived, it’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t want Sir Alex Ferguson as an ambassador anymore. 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.”;

Last month, it emerged United have in the shadow of the Theatre of Dreams.

The hope is it could be ready in just over five years – but Cantona is not impressed by the proposals.

He said: “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.”;

Cantona revealed he offered help to the new regime to restore to its former glory – but they did not take him up on it.

He said: “. I started a long time ago when I left football.

“Until the end of October this year , but I said to them I can put that (aside) and concentre and help you to rebuild something.

“And they don’t care. Me too, because I work. I don’t ask anything. But I feel sad to see United in this kind of situation.

“So, for me and the respect for myself, I had to do it and I did it, and they didn’t care and I don’t care. They decided something else. They have another strategy, another project.”;

Alex Ferguson and Eric Cantona holding the FA Cup and Premiership trophy.
Cantona spent five years lighting up Old Trafford
Illustration of a proposed 100,000-seat Manchester United stadium.
United released plans for their 100,000-seater new stadium
Eric Cantona in a yellow shirt in front of a yellow background with the words "The Legend Is Back".
Cantona offered his services to the Ineos owners – but they rejected him
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