Richard Keys has taken aim at Manchester United's minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe over the decision to strip legendary boss Sir Alex Ferguson of a multi-million pound ambassadorial role.
Ferguson, who won 38 trophies in 26 years, signed a deal following his retirement in 2013 to continue as a global club ambassador and director.
In 2014 accounts United said Ferguson, 82, was paid £2.16m for his services.
On Tuesday it emerged Ratcliffe had ended the agreement in a face-to-face meeting with Ferguson, with the Ineos chief citing the move as being part of a wide-ranging cost-cutting programme.
beIN Sports host Keys has accused Man United's minority over of a 'small-minded' decision, hitting out at their treatment of Ferguson.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, right, ended a multi-million deal with ex-Man United boss Sir Alex Ferguson
beIN Sports host Richard Keys has blasted the Man United minority owner for the decision
Keys has claimed that Ratcliffe is 'killing the club' as he slammed the 'small minded' decision
'Fergie ‘sacked’. What small minded thinking,' Keys wrote on X.
'He’s not my favourite but he’s a living legend - the best our game has ever seen.
'He should be treated with respect by Ratcliffe - not disdain.
'Man Utd cost cutting? Morale sapping I’d say. Ratcliffe is killing the club.'
United deny that they have directly banned Ferguson from the changing room but say there is now a ‘collective understanding’ over who goes inside.
Visits to the dressing room have been part of the club’s culture for decades.
Ferguson and fellow football board members David Gill and Mike Edelson were always welcome, as were Sir Bobby Charlton and former director Maurice Watkins, before they passed away.
The legendary Man United boss will continue to sit on United’s football board, which is seen as a ceremonial body and is separate to the official board, and includes the six Glazer siblings.
Ferguson and other members of Man United's football board have been told to stay away from the club's dressing room
Keys has been among the critics of Ratcliffe's decision, with Eric Cantona among Man United club legends to have blasted the move.
'Sir Alex Ferguson should be able to do anything he wants at the club until the day he dies. Such a lack of respect,' wrote the legendary United icon on Instagram.
'It's totally scandalous. Sir Alex Ferguson will be my boss forever! And I throw them all in a big bag of s***!'
For the last 11-and-a-half years, Ferguson’s duties have included representing United all over the world, as well as match-day hospitality with the club’s partners and sponsors at Old Trafford, and appearing on promotional videos.
The Scot has been a regular spectator at home and away games, apart the period after he suffered a life-threatening brain haemorrhage in 2018 and following the death of his wife, Lady Cathy, a year ago.
He has often been seen sitting next to Ratcliffe in the directors’ box and chatting with the Ineos owner since he paid £1.3billion to acquire 27.7 per cent of the club.
Eric Cantona has taken aim at the club's new part-owners after 'sacking' club icon Ferguson
Ferguson is the most successful manager in the club's history having won 13 Premier Leagues
The Glazer family were happy to let Ferguson continue in his well-paid role, partly as an acknowledgement that his success on the pitch brought huge financial benefit to the club.
Ineos have launched a series of brutal cuts since they took a quarter share in the club earlier this year.
As Mail Sport revealed, they recently made 250 redundancies across departments - around a quarter of their workforce.
Mail Sport revealed on Tuesday that in a further, controversial move Ferguson – the most successful manager in the club’s history – will no longer enter the dressing room following matches as part of a change in policy.