Sir Alex Ferguson's private stance on Man Utd revealed after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has doubts over Man Utd's new direction after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 18/10/2024

- 08:22

The Scot has left his role as an ambassador at Old Trafford

Manchester United insiders doubt whether Sir Alex Ferguson is happy with the club's new direction under Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the Scot was given the boot at Old Trafford, according to reports.

The 82-year-old has left his role as an ambassador as the club continue to cut costs, having axed 200 employees earlier in the year.


Ferguson is United's greatest manager, having won 13 Premier League titles and two Champions League titles during his stint in charge.

The fallen giants have toiled ever since his retirement in 2013, with the likes of David Moyes, Louis van Gaal, Jose Mourinho and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer coming and going.

Sir Alex Ferguson Manchester United

Sir Alex Ferguson has doubts over Man Utd's new direction after being axed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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United face Brentford this weekend sitting 14th in the Premier League table, with pressure mounting on Erik ten Hag.

Ratcliffe has spoken plenty about his desire to bring the glory days back to Old Trafford, particularly given how fierce rivals Manchester City are now the best team in the land.

According to the Daily Mail, however, some insiders believe Ferguson isn't entirely sold on INEOS - despite the talks with Ratcliffe being 'amicable'.

They reportedly question his happiness with the new arrangement, while also saying there is a 'deepening gloom' within the club amid their difficult season so far.

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Ferguson will still be allowed to attend United matches.

He will miss the match against Brentford on Saturday due to a personal arrangement but has regularly gone to fixtures since his retirement 11 years ago.

However, Ferguson has been banned from the dressing room. Therefore, he will be unable to motivate players or offer them words of encouragement before matches.

Defeat to Brentford would represent a catastrophic result for Ten Hag as he battles to turn United's season around.

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Thomas Frank, his opposite number, is now the No 1 candidate to replace the Dutchman if he ends up losing his job.

United had been strongly linked with Thomas Tuchel but, earlier this week, the German opted to take charge of England instead.

Meanwhile, United legend Eric Cantona has reacted to Ratcliffe's decision to dismiss Ferguson.

And the Frenchman, who won four Premier League titles during his time at Old Trafford, has dubbed the call 'scandalous'.

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Sir Alex Ferguson Man Utd Sir Jim Ratcliffe

Sir Alex Ferguson was axed by new Man Utd chief Sir Jim Ratcliffe

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“Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies," he said on Instagram.

"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**t."

Dwight Yorke, who also played under Ferguson, told The Mirror: "I am as surprised as everyone else.

Sir Alex Ferguson Man UtdSir Alex Ferguson won 13 Premier League titles during his time at Man UtdPA

"We are going through a change at the football club from top to bottom. Everyone is looking over their shoulder at the moment.

"It is not really a fitting way to treat someone who has done so much for the football club, his contribution is unprecedented.

"They have been so successful for such a long time, the only people who know what is going on are those people who have just come in. I am not sure if everyone will be in agreement with the changes, but this will raise a few eyebrows.

"If they can do that to someone like Sir Alex Ferguson, then I suppose everyone is on a tightrope."

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