Former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel has slammed Manchester United for a decision they have made behind the scenes under the new leadership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe.
Ratcliffe purchased a 27.7% stake in Manchester United in February 2024 for approximately £1.25 billion, gaining control over football operations from the Glazer family.
Since then, they have made several decisions that have not gone well with the Manchester United fans and fraternity.
Ratcliffe has mainly focused on cutting the club’s costs, leading him to make several controversial decisions, including sweeping staff cuts and job redundancies. Ratcliffe even cancelled Man United’s staff Christmas party to save money.
One such decision was ending a multi-million-pound annual commitment to Sir Alex Ferguson by terminating his deal as the club’s global ambassador.
John Obi Mikel on Manchester United’s Sir Alex Ferguson decision
The decision has been slammed by many and the latest to criticise Man United is the former Chelsea star John Obi Mikel.
Speaking on the latest episode of Obi One Podcast, he said: “What does he think about the present situation? Obviously, for me, I mean, there’s so many decisions that’s happening there that I don’t understand what’s happening.
“Number one, they have to strip him of his ambassadorial duties because they’re trying to cut cost. Are you kidding me? Are you f—– kidding me? It’s Alex Ferguson, you’re getting rid of him because you want to cut costs.
“He won all the trophies in football. He’s made that football club. There should be statues of him everywhere, that football club.”
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United legacy
Sir Alex Ferguson is hands down the greatest manager in Manchester United’s history.
He joined the club in 1986 and in his 27-year reign at the club, he transformed the Red Devils into one of the most dominant forces in England and Europe.
He led the club to 13 Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions League trophies, and four League Cups.
He also won the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup and was named the World’s Best Coach twice.
| Competition / Award | Number of Titles |
| Premier League | 13 |
| FA Cup | 5 |
| UEFA Champions League | 2 |
| League Cup (EFL Cup) | 4 |
| UEFA Super Cup | 1 |
| FIFA Club World Cup | 1 |
| World’s Best Coach | 2 |
Most impressively, Ferguson managed to stay relevant throughout the different eras, from knocking Liverpool off their perch, to battling Arsene Wenger’s Invincibles and later taking on the might of Roman Abramovich’s Chelsea under Jose Mourinho and then overcoming the rise of Manchester City under the new ownership.
In 2013, he finally called it a day, leaving a void that Man United have yet not filled.
Since his retirement, the club has been on a decline and perhaps at their worst at the moment as they currently sit 16th in the table and are set to finish the season without silverware.
