Eric Cantona: I would not support Manchester United now

 Eric Cantona has revealed he would choose not to support Manchester United now, after accusing Sir Jim Ratcliffe of “destroying” the club and running it “more like an economy”.

Ratcliffe has come under fire since acquiring a minority stake in the club and taking over its day-to-day operations from the Glazer family 14 months ago.

United are set to cut up to 200 more jobs after shedding 250 employees last summer as part of a brutal cost-cutting drive that has damaged morale among staff.

Ratcliffe has claimed United would have gone “bust by Christmas” but for the cuts, after losing £313 million in the past three years, but Cantona has accused the Ineos chairman of ripping out the “soul” of the club.

Speaking at the weekend at FC United of Manchester – the breakaway club formed by United supporters in the wake of the Glazers’ takeover in 2005 – Cantona has signed up his four children and two brothers as shareholders in the Northern Premier League Premier Division side.

And the iconic former striker said he was so taken aback by what Ratcliffe was presiding over at United that he would no longer choose to support the club if he was a fan, given the choice now.

“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,” said Cantona, who attended United’s 0-0 draw against Manchester City in Sunday’s derby at Old Trafford.

“Because 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.

“For me, it 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.”

Ratcliffe has unveiled plans for a £2 billion stadium to replace Old Trafford. But Cantona said he is opposed to United leaving Old Trafford and also criticised Ratcliffe’s decision to scrap former manager Sir Alex Ferguson’s £2 million-a-year global ambassadorial role as part of the cuts that have cost so many staff their jobs.

“The soul of the team and the club is not in the players – all the people around is like a big family,” said Cantona, who was an inspirational presence en route to helping Ferguson’s United to their first four Premier League titles following a £1 million move from Leeds in 1992.

“I remember a dressing room with players and Sir Alex Ferguson. All these people you don’t know helped us to feel at home and be in a family. It’s very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and team-mates.

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

“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.”

Ratcliffe has cited Cantona as his favourite ever United player and named the investment vehicle used to purchase a 28.94 per cent stake in the club “Trawlers Ltd”, a homage to the Frenchman’s speech after his kung-fu kick on a Crystal Palace fan in 1995.

Yet Cantona says a past offer to assist Ratcliffe’s United strategically was rebuffed.

“I work a lot making movies and TV series. I started a long time ago when I left football. Until the end of October this year I will shoot movies, but I said to them I can put that [aside] and concentrate and help you to rebuild something,” he said.

“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.”