Eric Cantona, the legendary French footballer and former Manchester United player, has criticized Sir Jim Ratcliffe, one of the club's co-owners, for recent comments he made about immigration in the UK. Cantona said he would not have joined Manchester United in 1992 if Ratcliffe had been an owner at the time. Ratcliffe, who was born in Greater Manchester and now lives in Monaco, told the BBC that the UK is "on the slide" due to immigration, a problem he claimed "no one is tough enough to deal with." Despite this, Ratcliffe has previously named Cantona as his favorite player of all time. Cantona's move to Manchester United in 1992 from Leeds United was a pivotal moment for the club. Under manager Sir Alex Ferguson, the team went on to enjoy tremendous success during the early years of the Premier League. Cantona is currently set to perform a live interview in Cork, Ireland, and spoke to a United fan in Belfast ahead of the event. When asked if he would have joined United in 1992 if Ratcliffe had been a co-owner then, Cantona answered firmly, "No." In his response, Cantona expressed his disapproval of Ratcliffe's comments, saying he cannot understand how someone in a position of influence at the club could make such remarks. He emphasized that football has always been shaped by immigration, pointing out that many of the greatest players in France, including himself, come from immigrant backgrounds. Cantona also referenced a documentary he made titled French Football: An Immigrant History, highlighting how players like Raymond Kopa, who was the son of Polish immigrants, and others from diverse backgrounds have contributed to the sport. Earlier this year, Ratcliffe told Sky News that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants." He later apologized, saying his choice of language had offended some people in the UK and Europe. Cantona's criticism reflects a broader concern about the impact of such rhetoric on a sport that has long been a melting pot of cultures and nationalities.