ERIC CANTONA claims Manchester United has lost its soul as he signed his whole family up as shareholders in rebel club FC United.
The French legend was back in town at the weekend and took in the disappointing goalless derby against City.
But he also made his feelings known by agreeing to become a co-owner of FC United of Manchester – while acquiring shares for his four children and two brothers.
Cantona fired another blast at new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for some of the decisions he has made since he moved into the club early last year.
He claims the Ineos owner and his team are trying to “destroy everything” and blasted the decision to move away from Old Trafford.
Cantona, 58, said: “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.
“For me, that is very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and your team-mates.
“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.
“The soul of the team and the club is not in the players. All the people around is like a big family.
“I don’t feel close to these kind of decisions. They have another strategy, another project. Do you feel close to this project? I don’t think so.”
Cantona – who spent five glittering years at Old Trafford – says it is almost unrecognisable now from the club he knew.
[bc_video account_id=”5067014667001″ application_id=”” aspect_ratio=”16:9″ autoplay=”” caption=”Fans say ‘you really aren’t ready’ as bizarre footage emerges of Man Utd legend Eric Cantona’s interview” embed=”in-page” experience_id=”” height=”100%” language_detection=”” max_height=”360px” max_width=”640px” min_width=”0px” mute=”” padding_top=”56%” picture_in_picture=”” player_id=”default” playlist_id=”” playsinline=”” sizing=”responsive” video_id=”6355969621112″ video_ids=”” width=”640px”]He said: “I remember a dressing room with players and Sir Alex Ferguson, all these people you don‘t know who helped us to feel at home and be in a family.
“I think it’s very important to respect these people like you respect your manager and team-mates.
[authenticated-scripts src=”%3Cscript%20class%3D%22palin-poll%22%20src%3D%22https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thesun.co.uk%2Fpollingwidgets%2Fv3%2Fwidget.js%3Fquestion_id%3D112046%26game%3Dpolling%22%3E%3C%2Fscript%3E” type=”embedded” width=”100″ /]“Since Ratcliffe arrived, it’s the complete opposite. He doesn’t want Sir Alex Ferguson as an ambassador anymore. He is more than a legend and I think we have to find this soul again.”
Last month, it emerged United have drawn up plans for a new £2billion ‘New Trafford’ in the shadow of the Theatre of Dreams.
The hope is it could be ready in just over five years – but Cantona is not impressed by the proposals.
He said: “The stadium is iconic. For me, Arsenal lost their soul when they left Highbury and I’m sure a lot of fans miss Highbury.
“It’s like when you go in a house and feel a special energy. Can you imagine Liverpool playing in another stadium than Anfield?
“It’s impossible. I don’t think United can play in another stadium than Old Trafford.
“But I think maybe we are dreamers and they are more like an economy and a strategy. I hate this kind of thing. I hate this kind of decision.”
Cantona revealed he offered help to the new regime to restore United to its former glory – but they did not take him up on it.
He said: “I work a lot making movies and TV series. I started a long time ago when I left football.
“Until the end of October this year I will shoot movies, but I said to them I can put that (aside) and concentre and help you to rebuild something.
“And they don’t care. Me too, because I work. I don’t ask anything. But I feel sad to see United in this kind of situation.
“So, for me and the respect for myself, I had to do it and I did it, and they didn’t care and I don’t care. They decided something else. They have another strategy, another project.”
