SIR ALEX FERGUSON has been blocked from the Manchester United dressing room, according to reports.
The former Red Devils manager, 82, saw the club stop paying his £2.16million-a-year salary as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s cost-cutting measures at Old Trafford.
And now in a dramatic change of club policy, it is understood Fergie and the Manchester United football board have been asked not to enter the changing room.
The football board is separate to the official United board which includes the six Glazer siblings.
According to the Daily Mail, Ferguson has not been directly banned but there is a “collective understanding” regarding who is allowed to go in following matches.
Traditionally, United have allowed senior figures to visit the dressing room.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
Ferguson, Sir Bobby Charlton and United chiefs David Gill, Mike Edelson and Maurice Watkins were all given a green-light policy to stop and pop their head in.
The culture of keeping the club’s historic figures in touch with the current stars dates back to Sir Matt Busby’s reign as manager.
However, the chance for Ferguson to speak with the players after matches has reportedly been taken away from him.
The Scottish icon is the most successful manager in United’s history.
Most read in Football
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
He won 38 trophies across his 26-year stint in the dugout – including 13 Premier League titles plus two Champions Leagues.
That saw him rewarded with the lucrative role as global ambassador soon after he retired in 2013.
However, the new Ineos minority owners – spearheaded by Ratcliffe – decided to cut the contract, months after making 250 redundancies at the club.
He has also cancelled senior Man Utd staff’s private cars and reduced lunch privileges on match-days.
Ratcliffe informed Fergie of the decision to end his payments at the end of this season in a face-to-face meeting
Ferguson will remain a non-executive director at United and welcome at games.
The shock axe prompted reactions from various former Red Devils players who shone under Ferguson.
Eric Cantona launched a blistering X-rated tirade on Instagram.
The Frenchman blasted: “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***!”
Rio Ferdinand, meanwhile, believes it is an attempt to send a message.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The defender wrote: “If Sir Alex can be taken out, then NO ONE IS SAFE at Man Utd – anyone can get it now.
“Ineos sending a message to ANYONE at the club?!?”
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
