Manchester United are still in rebuilding mode under Ineos but one decision has seriously divided opinion over the last week.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and co have completed a first summer transfer window and Manchester United brought in five new signings.
In came Joshua Zirkzee, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui and Manuel Ugarte in a busy window.
United also landed top young talents for the future with James Overy, Sekou Kone, Samuel Lusale and Chido Obi-Martin all arriving.
Ineos can be happy with that work but Ratcliffe is still seeking to cut costs around United – and that has extended to one divisive move.
Pep Guardiola on Sir Alex Ferguson
Sir Alex Ferguson will no longer serve as a United ambassador with the Scot told face-to-face that his official role would be ending.
Ferguson earns around £2million-a-year in that ambassadorial role but Ineos have communicated that it won’t be happening any longer.
Maybe Ferguson was planning to step aside anyway given that he turns 83 later this year but this decision has divided United fans.
Some believe that Ferguson’s achievements mean that he should be welcome back at United in that capacity for as long as he wants.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola – who has taken inspiration from Ferguson – has now offered his praise for the Scot.
Guardiola has told The Guardian that he thinks Ferguson is ‘the best’ not only in English football but ‘around the world’.
Guardiola branded Ferguson as ‘one of the most important managers of all time’ and he feels that being considered in a similar bracket is ‘more than enough’.
The City boss has some way to go before matching Ferguson’s record of 13 Premier League titles, but Guardiola seemingly isn’t focused on chasing that down anyway.
“In this country and all around the world, Sir Alex Ferguson is the best,” said Guardiola.
“For the time, for the change of teams, for the trophies. Being close to one of the most important managers of all time is more than enough. It’s an incredible honour for me and for all the staff, all the assistants and all the players I’ve had.
“When people say: ‘Pep is one of the best’ that’s because of the players I had, the assistant managers and the assistant coaches we have had – and we have had many. All of them create this sense that we are good – and that is enough. I don’t fight for anything else,” he added.
Ex-United players on Ferguson
There is so much conversation around Ferguson now because of the decision to end his ambassadorial role.
Rio Ferdinand has suggested that Ineos are sending a message to everybody inside the club, highlighting that nobody is safe.
Eric Cantona has gone even further, branding the situation ‘totally scandalous’.
To see such strong praise from Guardiola at least turns the conversation around Ferguson back into pure positives, appreciating his ability as a manager rather than focusing on the Ineos decision.
Guardiola may be the enemy for United fans but he at least has nothing but respect and admiration for Ferguson.
United fans will be clear on one thing though – let’s hope Guardiola stays well away from Ferguson’s Premier League title record.
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