Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has said the club has been on a downward spiral since Sir Jim Ratcliffe became co-owner, the BBC reports.
Ratcliffe's company Ineos bought a 27,7 percent stake in the club in February 2024, in a transaction worth around £1,25 billion (€1,44 billion).
The Glazer family, which has owned the club since 2005, still owns a majority stake, but Ineos has taken control of the sports segment of the business.
Last month, the club unveiled ambitious plans to build a new, "magnificent" 100.000-seat stadium, worth £2 billion (€2,3 billion), in close proximity to Old Trafford.
British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe's time at Manchester United has sparked a backlash, particularly after ticket price hikes and a double wave of layoffs in an attempt to stabilise the club's finances.
At an event at FC United, a lower-league club formed by disgruntled United fans after the Glazers took over the club, Cantona made a scathing statement about the direction United were heading. Interestingly, he and members of his family have become part-owners of this alternative club.
"Since Ratcliffe arrived, this management has been trying to destroy everything and has no respect for anyone," said the legendary Frenchman, who played 185 games for United between 1992 and 1997.
"It makes me sad to see United in this state. They have decided on something completely different. They have a new strategy, a new project."
I love United, and that's why I still support them. But if I were a young fan today and had to choose a club, I don't think I would choose United."
Cantona, who has played 45 times for France, believes United must "rediscover their soul", particularly pointing to the possible departure of Sir Alex Ferguson from his position as global ambassador.
Ferguson, who won 13 Premier League titles as United manager, will leave the role at the end of the season. The club said the decision was made amicably after direct talks between Ferguson and Ratcliffe.
"He no longer wants Ferguson as an ambassador. And Ferguson is more than a legend," Cantona said.
"The soul of the club does not lie only in the players. The people around the team form one big family. It is important to respect these people as you respect the manager and your teammates."
Cantona (58) also criticised Ratcliffe's plans to demolish Old Trafford to build a completely new stadium, rather than renovating the club's existing home.
"They even want to demolish the stadium. And that stadium is an icon. Arsenal, in my opinion, lost their soul when they left Highbury – and I'm sure a lot of their fans still mourn that stadium today," the Frenchman concluded.
"Imagine Liverpool playing in a stadium other than Anfield? Impossible. Likewise, I don't believe United can play anywhere other than Old Trafford," Cantona said, highlighting the symbolic significance of the iconic home of the "Red Devils".
Manchester United declined to comment on Cantona's statements, while BBC Sport has contacted Ineos for a response.
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