Cantona Critiques Ratcliffe’s Leadership at Manchester United

There was considerable optimism when Sir Jim Ratcliffe joined Manchester United over 18 months ago, particularly following the club’s FA Cup victory in the summer of 2024. However, the subsequent dismissal of Erik ten Hag, mixed results under his successor Ruben Amorim, and widespread layoffs have led to persistent criticism directed at the British billionaire. Recently, one of the club’s greatest legends, Eric Cantona, has once again voiced his concerns about Ratcliffe’s leadership.

During his stage show, “An Evening with Eric The King Cantona,” the French forward revealed that his offer to contribute to the revitalization of the club was rejected by the current administration. Cantona expressed his disappointment, stating, “I have many other passions and projects, but I thought that for two or three years I could maybe set those aside to give something back 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 established a style of beautiful attacking football that the new owners should have embraced. Instead, they have dismantled it.”

Cantona maintains a deep affection for his former club, yet he lamented the current atmosphere at Old Trafford, which he feels has significantly deteriorated. “The atmosphere in the stadium is different, unfortunately. I attended the game against Manchester City last season, and I found it to be quiet. Many United fans prefer away matches to be among true supporters rather than being surrounded by tourists more interested in the merchandise store than the game,” he remarked.

This is not the first time Cantona has criticized the club’s direction. He believes that the emphasis on profit, the decline in success after Sir Alex Ferguson’s era, and proposed stadium changes are alienating loyal supporters. Earlier this year, he stated, “I support United because I genuinely love the club, but if I were a fan now, I don’t think I would choose United. I feel disconnected from the current decisions being made. They have a different strategy, a different project. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so. It’s crucial to respect fans, managers, and teammates. Since Ratcliffe’s arrival, it seems to be the complete opposite, with the current directors trying to dismantle everything and showing disrespect to everyone, including plans to alter the stadium.”

Despite a challenging start to the season, there are signs of improvement under Amorim. The club invested over £200 million in players during the summer, which has helped propel them into the top half of the Premier League, currently occupying the seventh position. However, they still appear a long way from reclaiming their former dominance in English football. Following the upcoming international break, United will host Everton at Old Trafford on November 24.

Even with this uptick in performance, Amorim remains cautious. Following a draw against Tottenham, he acknowledged, “We have many issues to address. We are merely at the beginning of our journey. While results may indicate improvement, there is still much work ahead. We had opportunities to secure three points, but we became overly comfortable during the match. It is essential to recognize that in football, a single moment can change the entire atmosphere of the stadium, and today was an example of that. Although we controlled the game well, we need to improve, as the match was there for the taking.”