Paul Scholes slams Ineos for 'distasteful' Sir Alex Ferguson Man United decision

Paul Scholes says Ineos’ decision to strip Sir Alex Ferguson from his role as a club ambassador for Manchester United is “distasteful” and “disrespectful”.

Ferguson has held the role ever since his retirement as manager in 2013 but was told by club chiefs earlier this month that he would relinquish it at the end of the season. It is thought the decision has, in part, been made for cost management reasons.

Accounts from 2014 show that Ferguson earned £2.16million during his first eight months in the position. Club sources have stressed that the meeting in which the Scot was informed of the decision was amicable and that the United icon would always be welcome at Old Trafford.

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Ferguson, 82, meanwhile holds another role as an honorary director but this is only thought to be ceremonial. United fans are split over the news, but Scholes - who played 716 games under Ferguson - has been very clear in his verdict.

“It's a tough one. I felt it was a little bit distasteful, for what that man has done for the club - almost a little bit disrespectful,” he told TNT Sports. “But they [Ineos] are new owners and new owners make changes and they think what they are doing is best for the club.

“Now if they think they can save whatever money it is - I know there’s been talk of £2million, I don’t know if that is correct or not - but if they think they can use that elsewhere then so be it.”

Scholes added: “This club owes a lot to Sir Alex Ferguson, it's where it is now mainly because of the success he had for so many years. And the timing of it was a little bit poor as well.

“They were in a really bad run of form. Could you have waited or [made it] before the season started, done it at the end of the season? The publicity wasn't great around it but Sir Alex will be fine, he’ll go on and still be the best ambassador this club can ever have.”