Man Utd players urged to pay Sir Alex Ferguson's salary

Cameron Smith

• 18 Oct 2024 07:30 BST
• 2 min read

Manchester United players have been told to pay Sir Alex Ferguson’s annual salary following news that his contract will be terminated at the end of the season.

Ferguson retired as Man Utd manager in 2013, but he was handed an ambassadorial role at the club worth over €2.5 million per year upon stepping down.

He has held that position ever since, however Sir Jim Ratcliffe has taken the controversial decision to end Ferguson’s contract when the 2024-25 campaign concludes as INEOS continue to cut costs at Old Trafford.

READ MORE: Man Utd AXE Sir Alex Ferguson after 38 years

Ferguson will become a non-executive director next season, although his role at Man Utd is set to drastically reduce as Ratcliffe aims to usher in a new era for the club.

However, former England international Stuart Pearce has suggested that members of Man Utd’s first-team squad should offer to pay Ferguson’s salary in order for him to remain a prevalent figure at the club.

The legendary Scotsman won 38 trophies during a 26-year stint as Red Devils boss and Pearce believes the current crop of players would benefit from Ferguson’s experience.

Pearce told talkSPORT: “Wouldn't it be good if the United squad said we’ll fund that money per season to keep Alex in the post because he's too important to this club?”

READ MORE: Varane opens up on surprise Man Utd exit

Eric Cantona fumes at Man Utd decision

Ratcliffe’s decision to remove Ferguson from his post at Old Trafford has also angered Man Utd legend Eric Cantona.

The former Red Devils star vented his frustration with a post on Instagram. “Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies,” Cantona said.

“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***!”

Man Utd are currently 14th in the Premier League table, having picked up just eight points from their opening seven games, while Erik ten Hag is under massive pressure to turn results around.