Man United Legend Says Jim Ratcliffe “Destroyed” Club | OneFootball

Eric Cantona, Ratcliffe and Man United Turmoil

Eric Cantona has never hidden his affection for Manchester United, yet his relationship with the club continues to fray. His latest comments have placed Jim Ratcliffe and the current leadership under intense scrutiny, with the French icon accusing the ownership structure of taking the club further away from its identity.

Cantona Criticises Ratcliffe Approach

The former No.7 has long expressed frustration with the people directing Man United, and his stance has hardened since Ratcliffe took control of football operations after securing a 27 per cent stake in early 2024. Cost cutting, restructuring and strategic changes have reshaped the club, but not to Cantona’s satisfaction.

He revealed during An Evening with Eric The King Cantona that he personally reached out to Ratcliffe with an offer to help. His words reflected deep disappointment.“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. But [Ratcliffe] didn’t seem interested. I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I tried my best. Sir Alex Ferguson created a style of beautiful attacking football, which the new owners should have used. Instead, they destroyed it.”

This sense of rejection has reinforced Cantona’s belief that Man United’s leadership does not appreciate its heritage or its greatest contributors.

United Legacy Under Strain

Cantona’s bond with Sir Alex Ferguson remains strong. The club’s decision to remove Ferguson from the payroll in February 2025 angered him greatly. His Instagram response captured that emotion.“Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. Such a lack of respect. It’s totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!”

Photo: IMAGO

The striker who joined from Leeds in 1992 helped establish the platform for the modern era of dominance. His influence stretched far beyond the pitch, shaping mentality and standards. The disconnect he now feels is stark.“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,” he said. “I don’t feel close to these kinds of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do I feel close to this project? I don’t think so.”

Old Trafford Atmosphere Concerns

Recent visits to the stadium have done little to soften his view. Cantona described a change in the feel of Old Trafford that symbolises, for him, a deeper cultural shift.“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.”

His disappointment continued when reflecting on the experience of attending a derby.“I went to Old Trafford last season for the game against Manchester City, and I thought it was quiet. United fans prefer to go to away matches, to be with the real fans, than to be surrounded by people who come from different parts of the world just to go to the merchandise store.”

Cantona’s commentary paints a picture of a legend feeling alienated from the club he once illuminated. His critique of Ratcliffe adds another layer to the debate around Man United’s direction, identity and long term vision.