Manchester United icon Eric Cantona has launched a fresh and furious verbal assault on the club's new owner, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, intensifying his criticism of the Red Devils' hierarchy and accusing the petrochemicals billionaire of systematically dismantling Sir Alex Ferguson's historic legacy.
A Legacy Under Threat
The former French international, who achieved legendary status at Old Trafford, has never shied away from expressing his discontent with the club's ownership. His latest comments, made during his one-man show tour, represent a significant escalation. Cantona revealed his own thwarted ambitions to work with the new regime, stating he had been prepared to set aside his other passions for two or three years to serve the club in an ambassadorial role. 'I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I tried my best,' Cantona told the audience, as reported by Telegraph Sport, indicating his outreach was met with disinterest from Ratcliffe.
The Soul of the Club at Stake
Cantona's ire is not limited to personal slights. He passionately defended the footballing philosophy instilled by his former manager, Sir Alex Ferguson. 'Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it,' he declared. This criticism extends to one of Ratcliffe's most ambitious projects: the proposed £2 billion 'New Trafford' stadium. Cantona argues that moving from Old Trafford would mean losing the club's soul, drawing a parallel with Arsenal's departure from Highbury. 'Can you imagine Liverpool playing in another stadium than Anfield? It’s impossible,' he argued in March, expressing his disdain for what he sees as decisions driven by economy and strategy rather than passion.
Plans and Paradoxes
The situation is laden with irony. Despite Cantona's status as Ratcliffe's self-proclaimed 'favourite ever player,' and the billionaire's tribute of naming his United investment vehicle 'Trawlers Ltd' after Cantona's famous 'seagulls' quote, a professional partnership has failed to materialise. While Ratcliffe forges ahead with his vision—which includes a state-of-the-art 100,000-seater stadium dubbed the 'Wembley of the North' and a wider regeneration project—the club's iconic 'King' stands in firm opposition. Cantona's emotional connection to the club's past now places him in direct conflict with its planned future, leaving fans to ponder the true cost of progress.
The former striker's disillusionment is profound. He concluded with a stark admission that cuts to the heart of every supporter's fears: '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.' This statement from one of the club's most revered figures signals a deep rift between the new ownership and the traditions that once defined Manchester United.
