Man Utd flops told to pay Sir Alex Ferguson's salary after Sir Jim Ratcliffe axe

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken the decsion to end Sir Alex Ferguson's £2million-a-year contract as an ambassador of the Premier League giants

Manchester United's players have been told that they should offer to pay Sir Alex Ferguson's salary after he lost his role as an ambassador in a ruthless cost-cutting decision made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Co-owner Ratcliffe - who purchased a 27.7 per sent stake in the club in February through his petrochemicals conglomerate, INEOS - has ended Ferguson's £2.16million-a-year contract in an effort to save money. Just this summer, Ratcliffe and co backed current manager Erik ten Hag with nearly £200m worth of new signings, only for United to win three of their opening 11 games.

His decision to end Ferguson's contract has been met with backlash, with the legendary ex-United boss having been given his ambassadorial role upon retiring from management in 2013. Ferguson, 82, was informed by the INEOS chairman during a face-to-face meeting at Old Trafford.

Former England defender Stuart Pearce has now suggested that United's players - and even their local rivals - could offer to cover Ferguson'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 told talkSPORT.

"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."

Ex-United striker Eric Cantona was among those to slam Ratcliffe's decision, labelling it 'scandalous'. On Instagram, Cantona said: "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***!"

Get involved! Should Sir Jim Ratcliffe reverse his decision? Have your say in the comments section.

Image: Nick Potts/PA Wire) Nick Potts/PA Wire)

It's been reported that the meeting between the Scot and Ratcliffe was entirely amicable, and Ferguson will retain 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 lift some of the negativity around Old Trafford with a win at home to Brentford on Saturday. The Red Devils 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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