INEOS boss Ratcliffe acquired a 27.7% stake in the Red Devils in February 2024 and was given full control of their football operations by the Glazer family. While many supporters welcomed the news, Cantona believes the situation has only gotten worse.
Ratcliffe’s tumultuous reign at Manchester United
There was optimism when Ratcliffe invested in United more than 18 months ago, and winning the FA Cup in the summer of 2024 looked promising. But the dismissal of Erik ten Hag, the mixed results of his successor, Ruben Amorim, and the numerous layoffs have sparked repeated criticism of the British billionaire. Today, one of the greatest players in the history of the Red Devils attacks Ratcliffe once again.
Manchester United have been “destroyed”.
Cantona even declared that his request to participate in the restructuring of the club had been refused by the current management. During his show, “An Evening with Eric “The King” Cantona,” he said: “I have many other passions and projects, but I thought I could put them aside for two or three years and try to make my contribution to this club which has given me everything. But (Ratcliffe) didn’t seem interested. I did what I had to do, so I don’t feel guilty anymore. I did my best. Sir Alex Ferguson created a beautiful, attacking style of football, which the new owners should have exploited. Instead, they destroyed it. »
Cantona retains great affection for his former club, but he says the atmosphere at Old Trafford today is a far cry from that of yesteryear.
“The atmosphere at the stadium is different, unfortunately. I went to Old Trafford last season for the match against Manchester City, and found the atmosphere calm. United fans prefer to go to away games, to be with the real fans, rather than being surrounded by people from all over the world just to shop at the club shop.he added.
This is not the first time Cantona has claimed things have deteriorated at United. He believes the obsession with money, the decline in success after the Sir Alex Ferguson era and plans for a new stadium are putting fans off.
He said at the start of the year: “ I support United because I really like United, but now if I was a supporter and I had to choose a club, I don’t think I would choose United. Because I don’t feel concerned by these kinds of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do you feel concerned by this project? I don’t believe it. For me, it is very important to respect people like you (the supporters), to respect your coach and your teammates. I think since Ratcliffe arrived it’s been the complete opposite and this management team is trying to destroy everything and doesn’t respect anyone. They even want to change the stadium. »
