Yorke doesn't agree with the decision.
(Image: Optus Sport)

'Tightrope' - Dwight Yorke agrees with Eric Cantona on Man United's Sir Alex Ferguson decision

by · Manchester Evening News

Dwight Yorke doesn't agree with Sir Jim Ratcliffe's decision to end Sir Alex Ferguson's ambassadorial contract at Manchester United.

The news that Ferguson had stepped down from his position broke on Tuesday and it was met with mixed reactions, with some fans stating it was a step too far from Ineos.

Others argued it was a sensible decision as Ferguson earned a salary of £2.165million, which didn't feel logical following a club restructure that made 250 staff redundant.

Eric Cantona was among those to criticise the decision and he blasted Ratcliffe on social media, writing: “Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. Such a lack of respect. It's totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever!"

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Importantly, club sources have stressed the decision was entirely amicable and that Ferguson, United's most successful manager, will always be welcome at Old Trafford.

However, Yorke provided The Mirror with his thoughts on the decision and agreed with Cantona, questioning whether it was a 'fitting way' to treat the United legend.

"I am as surprised as everyone else. We are going through a change at the football club from top to bottom. Everyone is looking over their shoulder at the moment," said Yorke.

"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 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."

Ratcliffe scrapped most staff benefits when United booked their place in the FA Cup final at the end of May and charged staff £20 to travel to and from Wembley when it was previously free.

United had previously given tickets for cup finals to their 1,100 staff members with travel to Wembley, along with pre-match food and hotel accommodation included. Those benefits were scrapped and morale among the workforce was understood to have dropped markedly.

Ratcliffe pledged 'to put the Manchester back into Manchester United' when Ineos' bid was confirmed in 2023.