Manchester United’s football board, which includes Sir Alex Ferguson, have been asked to refrain from entering the players’ dressing room, according to reports.

On Tuesday, it emerged that United have terminated Ferguson’s £2.6 million-a-year ambassadorial role as part of their cost-cutting measures.

Former United striker Eric Cantona, one of Ferguson’s best-ever signings during his 26-year reign at Old Trafford, branded the club’s decision as ‘a lack of respect’ and ‘totally scandalous’.

MailOnline reports that in addition to Ferguson’s role being axed, the 82-year-old is among the senior figures who have been instructed to stay away from the players’ changing room on matchdays.

The report claims that Ferguson has not been banned but there is a ‘collective understanding’ over who visits the players’ inner sanctum.

Leading figures at United have always been welcomed inside the changing room, even after Ferguson’s retirement, including directors and former players.

Former United captain Michael Carrick revealed that Sir Bobby Charlton, who died last year, was a frequent visitor to the players’ dressing room and that his input was welcomed.

‘He comes into the changing room after every single game, his support in unwavering’ Carrick said in 2019.

‘Ever since I came to the club that’s something that stands out- the support you’ve got from real legends and icons. Not just from this club, but throughout football.

‘Sir Bobby has been a huge support for me personally, but for every single player. Whether it is a good result or bad result he comes and shakes your hand and tells you not to worry it’ll be better next week, or well done and more of the same next week, depending on the result.’

During Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign, Ferguson was invited into the dressing room on multiple occasions, including after United knocked Paris Saint-Germain out of the Champions League at the Parc des Princes in 2019.

It’s great to see the boss in there,’ Solskjaer said after his side’s win in the French capital.

‘It’s understood that Ferguson’s reaction to his contract being terminated by United was ‘amicable’.

United have also made it clear that the Scot is still welcome to attend games at Old Trafford.

Earlier on Tuesday, former United defender Rio Ferdinand wrote on X: ‘If Sir Alex can be taken out, then NO ONE IS SAFE at Manchester United – anyone can get it now. Ineos sending a message to ANYONE at the club?!?

Metro

Liverpool could be facing an Arsenal side later this month suffering with several injury concerns. The Reds are due to meet the Gunners in the Premier League clash at Anfield on October 27 in what will be their third match after the international break.

Arne Slot has not been forced to deal with many injuries within his squad so far this season. Harvey Elliott and Federico Chiesa were sidelined before the international break, with Alisson Becker added to the treatment room for the next few weeks.

Before facing Arsenal, Liverpool will take on Chelsea in the Premier League this weekend in the first fixture after the international break. After that, the Reds will travel to Germany to face RB Leipzig in their third Champions League match of the campaign.

With Slot dealing with some injury concerns for Liverpool, Mikel Arteta is being forced to manage several players on the sidelines for Arsenal. The ECHO takes a look at Arsenal’s current injury list ahead of the Premier League clash against the Reds on October 27.

Bukayo Saka
Bukayo Saka suffered a potential muscle injury during England’s defeat to Greece in the Nations League last Thursday.

The Arsenal star withdrew from the Three Lions squad due to the fitness concerns and is a doubt for the Gunners’ clash against Bournemouth this weekend, but there is hope that he could recover in time to face the Cherries before Liverpool.

Gabriel Martinelli
Gabriel Martinelli emerged as an injury concern for Arsenal while with the Brazil squad.

Brazil confirmed that Martinelli would have an MRI scan on a possible calf injury, and it remains to be seen how long the forward will be on the sidelines, if at all.

Martin Odegaard
Martin Odegaard has been sidelined with an ankle injury since the September international break.

The Arsenal captain is not expected to return until December, meaning he will not be involved in the clash against Liverpool later this month.

Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber missed Arsenal’s win over Southampton before the international break with a knock.

Arsenal will hope to have the defender back in the matchday squad to face Bournemouth this weekend, barring any setbacks in Timber’s recovery.

Ben White

Ben White has missed each of Arsenal’s last four matches with a knee injury.

Arteta is expected to provide an update on the defender’s fitness when he speaks to reporters this week, and whether or not White is fit to return against Bournemouth before facing Liverpool a week later.

Oleksandr Zinchenko
Oleksandr Zinchenko has missed Arsenal’s nine matches with a calf injury.

The Ukraine international could return after the international break, meaning he may be involved against Liverpool the following week.

Kieran Tierney
Kieran Tierney is yet to feature for Arsenal this season with a hamstring injury.

It remains to be seen when the left-back will be fit enough to return to the matchday squad.

Source: Liverpool Echoes

In seismic news for the defending Premier League champions, Manchester City’s, director of football, Txiki Begiristain, has announced that he will be leaving the club at the end of the current season.

In his 12 years with the Citizens, Manchester’s other team has dominated English football winning seven Premier League including the famed treble in the 2022/23 season.

Begiristain (pictured), a former, highly accomplished player with Real Sociedad and Barcelona amongst others has been attached to the hip with, City boss, Pep Guardiola almost his entire career, and was instrumental in Guardiola joining the City project in 2016.

The timing of his departure has certainly raised eyebrows. With City facing 115 charges related to the breaching of financial rules which may include possible unprecedented financial penalties, a massive points deduction and even expulsion from the Premier League, Begiristain’s move could look like he’s jumping ship.

An added headache for City is that the clock is ticking on Guardiola’s contract. He has praised Begiristain many times saying, “we work together incredibly well. When we win, we try to analyze why. When we lose, we try to analyze why. We don’t judge the other one. We both work for the best of the club.”

With Guardiola potentially leaving the club at the end of the season, City are facing the loss of the two most important cogs in their off-field operations.

Not wanting to be caught unprepared, they have made a move by hiring Hugo Viana who is the current director of football with Portuguese giants, Sporting Lisbon. He will shadow, Begiristain, over the coming months to ensure a smooth transition to taking over full-time in June.

Viana has had great success in this role and has developed a reputation as someone who can recognize talent and has made the club a lot of money in the transfer market. The Academy programme at Sporting is widely lauded as one of the best in world football.

Perhaps, more importantly, Viana also has Premier League experience having played with Newcastle United becoming the most expensive teenage signing when he joined the club from Sporting for £8.5 million in 2002.