Cantona took the unusual step of criticising his beloved former club in the wake of Roy Keane's exit.

"With Glazer and the departure of Roy Keane I am worried," the former Old Trafford forward told the Sun.

"I have the feeling that the club could lose it's philosophy. That would be a pity now we've entered the age of making players like sheep."

Cantona believes the club are now in danger of losing the soul of the club that made them successful in the past and will struggle to recruit crowd-pleasing players.

He said: "The death of George Best could coincide with the death of the soul of a unique club.

"United were capable of recruiting the Bests, the Keanes and the Bobby Charltons - the more balanced sorts - and of respecting each man's difference.

"You could express yourself at United and you were loved for who you were. United were certainly the club that gave me my freedom.

Cantona's disparaging comments come after United's dismal defeat in the Manchester derby, alleged unrest in the Old Trafford camp and before their FA Cup third-round replay with Burton Albion.