Eric Cantona has been critical of the Glazer family and their handling of Manchester United in recent months, and the club legend has shown his true feelings on the matter
Josh Holland
14:19, 17 Oct 2025Updated 14:19, 17 Oct 2025
Eric Cantona
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Eric Cantona has reportedly been approached to back a potential consortium for a Manchester United takeover(Image: Photo by Mustafa Yalcin/Anadolu via Getty Images)
Manchester United legend Eric Cantona has previously made his feelings crystal clear regarding the Glazer family and their stewardship of the football club. The Old Trafford hero has been touted as a potential figure in a takeover bid at United following fresh speculation about Middle Eastern investment.
Takeover rumours emerged during the international break when Saudi sports chief Turki Al-Sheikh suggested an investor was on the verge of completing a deal for the club. Following his clarification that he wasn't the prospective investor, reports have since emerged that a UAE-backed consortium has approached several United legends about joining a possible takeover.
Cantona has been named as one of those contacted, potentially assuming an ambassadorial position that would see him back a prospective consortium, reports the Manchester Evening News. The French icon has voiced criticism of both the Glazers and minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe in recent weeks.
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In April, Cantona took a dramatic step that demonstrated his position on the current situation at United. Together with his family members, Cantona became the newest co-owner of FC United of Manchester.
The mission statement on the club's website explains they aim to "create a football club which addresses the concerns which many Manchester United fans have had over the 17 years or more with how the club and football have developed, culminating in the club's takeover by Malcolm Glazer".
The Northern Premier League club, established in 2005, is entirely owned by its fans on a "one member, one vote" basis.
Eric Cantona
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Eric Cantona has been public in his criticism of the Glazers(Image: Getty Images)
Members have the power to vote on all significant decisions, such as ticket prices and the design of playing shirts. "We're thrilled to welcome Eric and his family as our newest co-owners, joining over 2,000 other FC United supporters who believe there's a superior way for football - where clubs are run with the interests of fans and local communities at the heart of everything they do," said a club spokesperson.
"Eric told us he joined because we're a club that does things differently - driven by fairness, inclusivity, and a commitment to putting people before profit. While our history is brief, it's something we're already incredibly proud of - built by fans, for fans."
Speaking at the time, Cantona gave a scathing assessment of Ratcliffe's short tenure at the club. “Since Ratcliffe arrived this team of directors try to destroy everything and they don't respect anybody,” he said.
“I feel sad to see United in this kind of situation. They decided something else. They have another strategy, another project. 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.”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe's running of the club has been criticised by a Manchester United legend(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
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Despite all the noise surrounding United's ownership, Ruben Amorim has recently discussed the backing he has from the club hierarchy. "He tells me all the time, sometimes with a message after the games but you know, I know and Jim knows that football is not like that," he said.
"The most important thing is the next game. You cannot control the next day in football so I know that but it is really good to hear that also because of the noise.
"Omar [Berrada] and Jason [Wilcox] tell me that all the time."