Graeme Souness has blasted Manchester United over their decision to sack Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot has left his role as an ambassador as INEOS continue to cut the costs at Old Trafford following their purchase of a minority stake in the club at the tail end of last year.
Ferguson is still welcome at United matches but is now banned from the dressing room and won't be working as an ambassador.
It is a decision that has riled many figures within the sport, with the likes of Eric Cantona and Dwight Yorke already ripping into the fallen giants.
Man Utd news: Sir Alex Ferguson recently lost his job at Old Trafford despite everything he did for the club during his time as manager
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Souness, writing for the Daily Mail, has now revealed his stance.
The former Sky Sports pundit has dubbed the decision a 'disgrace' and has mocked Sir Jim Ratcliffe and other United chiefs by labelling them 'geniuses'.
"I must say I am struggling to think of any action that the geniuses currently running Manchester United could have taken to turn more people against them than terminating Sir Alex Ferguson’s contract as a club ambassador and showing him the door," he said.
"I’m trying to compute how they could have actually come up with an idea like that, at a time when so many supporters’ goodwill is ebbing away.
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"This decision will have turned a great many more against them. The finger of blame will now not just be on Erik ten Hag.
"INEOS are in charge of a club sitting 14th in the league, having had their worst start to a league season in 35 years. So they’ve sat down in a room and said to each other: ‘Right. What can we do to lose the little goodwill that’s remaining to us? I tell you what - let’s sack the greatest ambassador we have and restrict his access to certain parts of Old Trafford.’
"This is the man who led United through the greatest period they have ever known.
"His 26 years at Old Trafford brought success surpassing any other period in the club’s history. He is, without a shadow of a doubt, the greatest employee that club has ever had.
READ MORE: Sir Alex Ferguson's private stance on Man Utd revealed after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe
United insist that he is still welcome at Old Trafford. But surely you want someone like him around the place as much as possible?
"Surely you want the world to know that you are treating the pillar of your club with the respect that his endeavours have warranted? Apparently not."
Continuing his criticism, Souness then added: H:e seems to be viewed as just another employee. Just another casualty of the INEOS cost-cutting measures.
"What a disgrace. Where on earth is the respect? I have to tell these owners that they have embarrassed themselves."
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Man Utd news: Graeme Souness has dubbed the Red Devils a 'disgrace' for sacking Sir Alex Ferguson
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Ferguson is yet to address his departure from Old Trafford.
It has been claimed, however, that he's unsure over the 'direction' his old side are heading in under the new regime.
Ratcliffe has changed United's structure since coming in but results continue to leave much to be desired.
Erik ten Hag's job is far from safe, with the Red Devils set to go up against Brentford on Saturday.
Man Utd news: Sir Alex Ferguson was axed following talks with Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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The Bees will be the underdogs but famously beat United 4-0 back in 2022 in Ten Hag's second match in charge.
Another defeat could push the Dutchman towards the axe, with Brentford boss Thomas Frank seen as the No 1 candidate to take over.
