The legendary former Red Devils boss is set to leave his ambassadorial position at the end of the season as part of cost-cutting measures at the club but the move has been met with fury by the French icon who was key to the team's early Premier League successes.

Cantona posted on Instagram: "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***!"

The Scot has been paid a multi-million-pound sum by United since retiring as manager in 2013 and is still a regular presence at the club's games.

Club sources insist that Ferguson will always be welcome at Old Trafford and that the decision was taken amicably after talks between the former coach and United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe last week.

Ratcliffe has been cutting costs at the club so he can invest more money into the team - with more than 250 staff members being made redundant since INEOS acquired control of football operations earlier this year.

Former United defender Rio Ferdinand says the decision to remove Ferguson shows that nobody is safe under Ratcliffe at Old Trafford.

He wrote on social media: "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?!?"