Man United players sent Sir Alex Ferguson salary request after ruthless axe

Manchester United legend Sir Alex Ferguson's £2.165million-a-year ambassadorial role has been axed by co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Having acquired a 27.7% stake in the club through his company INEOS in February, Ratcliffe made the controversial decision despite sanctioning nearly £200 million in new signings over the summer to support manager Erik ten Hag - though the team have managed only three wins in their first 11 matches. Ferguson was informed of the decision in person and club sources have stressed the situation with the legendary former manager was entirely amicable.

Former England defender Stuart Pearce believes that United's players should now volunteer to pay Sir Alex’s salary. "Wouldn't it be good if the United squad said we'll fund that money per season to keep Alex in post because he's too important to this club?" Pearce said on talkSPORT.

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"I got a little bit mischievous and thought, what if Manchester City players said, wouldn't it be good if we chipped in and paid Alex Ferguson's wages each year to keep him in place for what he's done for that club across the road, that is going to inspire us on a weekly basis. It would be classy. You've sacked your best ever but we'll fund him, it's no problem."

Former United striker Eric Cantona was among those to criticise Ratcliffe's decision, labelling it 'scandalous'. On Instagram, Cantona stated: "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! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!

Ferguson will reportedly maintain a title as a non-executive director. The 13-time Premier League champion regularly sits alongside Ratcliffe at United matches, as seen in the 0-0 draw away to Aston Villa before the international break.

Amid pressure on his own position, Ten Hag will be hoping to alleviate some of the negativity around Old Trafford with a victory at home to Brentford on Saturday. United are currently 14th in the Premier League table and have failed to score in each of their last three top-flight matches.

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